Tourism industry creates 3,400 jobs in year's second quarter

THE Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) has welcomed the creation of 3,400 extra tourism jobs in the second quarter of the year, but has warned that the sector faces external threats.

ITIC, the industry’s umbrella organisation, said that the latest CSO quarterly figures show that tourism - so important in Mayo, as in many other places around Ireland - has increased employment further and is Ireland’s largest business employer, accounting for one in nine jobs nationally.

However, while tourism is performing strongly, ITIC has warned that growth and regional balance should not be taken for granted. The group said that the decisions taken in Budget 2017 would be critical to the sector’s performance, especially in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum in the UK.

The tourism industry was worth €7.3 billion to the Irish economy last year and over eight million international tourists visited Ireland in 2015. The sector paid €1.8 billion to the exchequer in taxes last year.

Over the next 10 years, ITIC feels that the tourism in Ireland can create an additional 50,000 jobs if the industry remains competitive and correct government policies and investment strategies are pursued.

“Tourism is a long-term, sustainable source of jobs in Ireland,” said Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, ITIC chief executive. “It can’t be offshored or out-sourced. It is here to stay and has the potential to provide jobs in all parts of the country.

“However, tourism capital investment by the state is very low and not appropriate for a sector that is so important to the economy. For example, tourism marketing budgets have been cut year after year and are now €20 million below what they used to be. This is having a serious impact on advertising and will mean less visitor numbers in future years if not addressed immediately.”