Developing tourism - Sector still has huge potential

ONE of the very best opportunities we have to rebuild our economy is to make sure that we do all we can to make Ireland an attractive and satisfying destination for tourists, domestic or international.

We have considerable expertise in this area and there is no reason we cannot build on that.

The figures are impressive. About 6.6 million foreign visitors came to Ireland last year and spent something in the region of €3 billion, 59% of all tourism revenue.