Fine Gael has just launched a very significant strategy for tourism. It plans to bring the industry in from the margins and place it at the centre of economic recovery. Last year the Labour Party also published proposals to develop the sector and so it seems that the political parties are finally beginning to get it.
I particularly liked Fine Gael's proposed actions with regard to structure and leadership. They are by far, the most important feature of the policy. It intends to place tourism in an economic Department within government. This mirrors the decision taken by the New Zealand government last July to position tourism policy and research within its Ministry of Economic Development. Given that the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, is also the Minister of Tourism, Enda Kenny might consider a similiar role for himself if elected Taoiseach.
Fine Gael also plans to establish an Inter-Departmental Tourism Committee to ensure co-ordinated and joined-up decision making in all areas which impact on tourism. This is critically important. Decisions made in other departments really affect the sector - think transport, environment, finance, enterprise trade & innovation, agriculture, justice & law reform, etc.
It is also proposed that Local Authorities will become significant partners in facilitating and supporting tourism planning and development in local areas. County development plans have generally lacked any tourism focus and the proposal to appoint dedicted tourism officers is to be welcomed.
I think we can look forward with confidence and hope that positive changes are on the way.
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