The Government has protected and prioritised investment in the area of tourism in Budget 2010, according to local Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary.

Minister Calleary has welcomed the commitment shown by the Government to the continuing the development of Ireland’s tourism product. He said that Ireland’s tourism industry offers unparalleled opportunities for business both at home and abroad.

“It can be difficult to accurately measure the value of ‘brand Ireland’ but we know that our tourism product is unique and valuable and I am very happy that the industry has been prioritised in the Budget for next year,” Minister Calleary said.

“Tourism is a very important indigenous sector, employing around 200,000 people across the country.”

“In Mayo we have made great strides in developing our niche in that market and we have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years with developments at Ireland West Airport Knock and around the county.”

“I am delighted that the capital investment in tourism development is to be increased threefold next year to €22 million. This money will be focussed on completing the upgrading of major tourism attractions, developing new tourism attractions, and improving infrastructure for recreational cycling, walking and water-based sports and local heritage attractions.”

“This is a significant amount of funding and I will be working to secure as much funding for Mayo projects as possible.”

“Two projects that should benefit from funding in Mayo this year is the Jackie Clarke Library in Ballina and the artificial reef in Killala Bay and I will continue to work with the groups involved n their efforts to secure the necessary funding.”

“We have some fantastic tourism attractions in Mayo but we also need to keep selling our product and for that reason I am glad that the funding for regional campaigns in the Tourism Marketing Fund is to be maintained at the same levels at this year.”

“I was also happy to see that Minister Brian Lenihan announced that Fáilte Ireland and Iarnród Éireann are working on a scheme for senior citizens visiting Ireland. Although the details won’t be announced for a few weeks I understand this new programme will see vouchers offered to foreign tourists that will provide greatly discounted rail travel around Ireland.”

“Given the amount of tourists who fly into Dublin this will hopefully allow more tourists to make the trip to Mayo and further boost our local tourism industry.”

“We’ve had a difficult year for tourism but hopefully 2010 will see things improve and this funding will no doubt play its part,” Minister Calleary concluded.