TOURISM ON THE AGENDA AT THE GLOBAL IRISH ECONOMIC FORUM

It was great to see tourism feature prominently in the discussions at the second Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle recently. Among the highlights

• The government is setting up an implementation group, including a panel of international advocates who will advise it on six key sectors including tourism (the other sectors are financial services, securing foriegn direct investment, promoting culture abroad, exports and rebuilding Ireland's reputation)
• The launch of The Gathering, a global Irish 'homecoming' with the potential to attract 350,000 visitors in 2013
• Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined the World Travel and Tourism Council/UN World Tourism Organisation's (WTTC/UNWTO) 'Global Leader's for Tourism Campaign' here
• A new social networking site, World Irish was launched to connect Irish people around the world. (Funny how the words of President Kennedy are so apt almost 50 years later... well worth watching!
• President Clinton highlighted the fact that if Ireland thinks it has a lot of tourists, it could get a lot more!

However, perhaps the most important feature of the week-end from a tourism perspective were the ideas at the working group session on improving our tourism product and promotion abroad. Ten ideas were put forward, but just three were prioritised for action. I understand that a white paper on a strategic vision for Irish tourism is now finally on the agenda.