Overcrowded airport ‘damaging to tourist industry’
The Tourism Action Plan Implementation Group was established in January 2004 to give impetus to the Government’s new tourism strategy for the first two years.
In its third and final progress report, released yesterday, the group says advances have been made in a range of areas. The Government has delivered more resources; air access from Britain, mainland Europe and America has increased and major transport infrastructure improvements are planned.
A national conference centre has also moved closer to fruition with the selection of a provisional preferred tenderer, and Dublin’s Abbey and Gaiety theatres, the National Concert Hall, and the Theatre Royal in Wexford are all marked for major capital investment.
But progress has been slow in other areas, including Dublin Airport.
“It is widely accepted that, for many years, the quality of the passenger experience in Dublin Airport does not meet the expectations of visitors to a modern highly developed country,” the report reads.
Given the projected growth in visitor numbers and the time it will take to improve facilities, “the experience of visitors at Dublin Airport is unlikely to improve greatly in the immediate future”. The report acknowledges that a second terminal and extra pier capacity are planned, but while the pier facilities are scheduled for 2007, it will be 2009 before the new terminal opens - if deadlines are met.
“It is acknowledged that the basic decisions needed to provide the required infrastructure at Dublin Airport have now been made,” the report says.
“However, it is frustrating for the tourism industry that previous delays in taking these decisions means that it will still be some years yet before significant improvements are likely to be experienced on the ground.”
Given that 20 million passengers go through the airport annually, with “very significant increases” forecast, the report warns that deadlines have to be met.
“It is essential for Irish tourism and business generally that the facilities and infrastructure required for a modern airport are put in place effectively and efficiently and absolutely no later than the dates already announced,” it says.
The report says the competitiveness of the industry has “deteriorated significantly” in recent years and a high cost base is a factor.
“(But) the sometimes opportunistic pricing practices by certain operators and the comparatively low productivity in the services sector do not help either. The price of goods and services on the ground are perceived to be high - as they undoubtedly are by international standards,” it says.
“Overcoming the current widespread perception of poor competitiveness and value for money in Irish tourism remains a significant challenge to the further development and expansion of tourism.”
