Limerick Chamber has highlighted the critical role Shannon Airport and the broader tourism sector plays in supporting jobs and economic growth throughout the region in a submission to the recent Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTS) consultation on Tourism Policy.
Speaking about their submission, Chamber Economist Dr Órlaith Borthwick said, “There is a co-dependency between Aviation and Tourism Policies, and Limerick Chamber seized this opportunity to highlight the importance of Shannon Airport as a key driver supporting the tourism sector along the entire Atlantic Corridor. Hub connectivity in particular is a key pre-requisite for the success of industry as well as the tourism sector.
Having lobbied extensively for change, the Chamber welcomed several recently adopted government policy measures to support the tourism sector including the retention of 9% VAT, the abolition of the air travel tax, the allocation of €6million to deliver City of Culture for Limerick in 2014, in addition to a fund of €8million to develop the Wild Atlantic Way. This consultation by DTTS, aimed at developing a comprehensive strategy on how tourism is delivered in Ireland, provided the opportunity to further influence policy decisions that can enhance how tourism products are both developed and marketed” concluded Dr Borthwick.
In their submission Limerick Chamber highlighted the need for a defined exit strategy to be developed in relation to government funding supports; the increased role Local Authorities can play in supporting tourism product design, development and delivery; the need to drive higher levels of innovation in the sector, such as the utilisation of research expertise available at the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies at the University of Limerick; improved collaboration between the various agencies both public and private to leverage more coherent financial models; and enhanced training offerings through dedicated training providers such as the Skillnet Network.
A full copy of the Chamber submission is available here
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For further information, please contact Edwina Gore, Communications Consultant, Limerick Chamber, 061-217607 / 087 6295323
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