€5m extra for tourism marketing initiatives

The Government is to spend an additional €5m on marketing initiatives to promote tourism in the regions.

The bulk of the money, €3m, will be spent on a new overseas promotion drive which divides the country into three new 'super regions'.

The three super regions are Ireland South which includes the southeast with Cork and Kerry; Ireland East which incorporates Dublin, the east Coast and the midlands; and the West to include the Shannon, the west and the northwest areas. Each super region is to be given an allocation of €1m to spend on overseas promotion.

A further €1m will be spent on a local area marketing fund to encourage local tourism interests to work together to offer promotional packages. Finally, a new innovation fund, administered by Fáilte Ireland, aims to stimulate investment in tourism projects outside the main towns and cities.