Tourism Ireland confident of raising standards

Andrew Coppel, Chairman of Tourism Ireland, the new all island tourism body, has said that the tourism industry in Ireland can overcome the events and effects of the September 11 attacks on the United States if the industry can begin to work together.

Mr Coppel was addressing the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation's Annual Conference dinner were he acknowledged the major challenges facing the tourism industry in the new environment post September 11 and against the background of the global economic slowdown. The conference attracted the largest ever attendance in the history of the event.

In the aftermath of September 11, Tourism Ireland has carried out an assessment of overseas market potential to evaluate the impact on people travelling so as to ensure that the tourism industry in Ireland comes through the current environment with the minimum of damage.

They have also put plans into place for 2002 “to successfully exploit all available opportunities in existing and new markets and niches in the changed environment." All island marketing plans featuring a new promotional campaign will also be launched in Dublin and Belfast in early November.

Concluding Mr Coppel said the tourism industry north and south would have to aspire to world class standards in hospitality facilities and service if it was to generate growth in the highly competitive global tourism market.

He added: "In today's current environment, where the tourism industry worldwide is working flat out to attract visitors, it is essential that our hotels, guesthouses, restaurants cafes, sports facilities are of world class standards and that we have highly skilled people to provide those services.” (MB)