Dublin tourism 'has potential to create 27,000 more jobs'

The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation has estimated that 27,000 new jobs could be created in the tourism sector in Dublin by 2020.

The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) has estimated that 27,000 new jobs could be created in the tourism sector in Dublin by 2020.

The ITIC has published a new report which found that greater collaboration is needed between public and private stakeholders, and it has said that Dublin needs to be marketed as a brand in itself.

Visitor numbers to Dublin fell by 22% between 2007 and 2010, but recovered by around 7% last year. The ITIC said growth of 6.2% a year is achievable.

Chairman of the steering group which carried out the report, Maurice Pratt, said if this target is achieved then 27,000 jobs could be created - but he said Dublin faces some stiff competition.

"Primarily it would be cities like Lisbon, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Edinburgh - cities of broadly comparable size.

"In most cases, if you are in mainland Europe you can drive directly to those cities - Dublin has a disadvantage in that it's on an island.

"You have therefore got to have a very attractive product in order to get people to come to the city."