My mother always told me that, if you have nothing good to say ,SAY NOTHING ( I do try sometimes )
After reading from a newsletter Publication in 2019 from Failte Ireland titled ( Your Latest Update from Fáilte Ireland ) some of which I have inserted below, you may see why it is a complete wast of time and energy, trying to deal with this QUANGO.
Dear Industry Member,
It was my pleasure to launch Fáilte Ireland's Plans for 2019 at the 'Sustaining Success' conference in Croke Park on Monday, 12th November last.
"There is now an impressive 260,000 people estimated to be employed in the sector, an increase of 20,000 since 2017. The tourism industry is so important to the national economy, particularly when you consider that this growth in revenue and jobs is generated in many parts of the country where many other major industries do not exist"
"With Festivals and Events attracting over 200,000 overseas visitors to our shores with a spend of €108 million, our intention is to grow this even more especially during the off-peak season. We're looking at developing a major festival of Halloween, the Celtic festival of Samhain with activities planned for throughout the Ireland's Ancient East region.
To celebrate our culinary ability and tradition a new ‘Month of Food’ programme is also to be developed, which will offer immersive food tourism experiences, showcasing the quality of Irish produce and driving increased visitor numbers and revenue through the off season.
One of issues affecting industry is skills shortages and we are delighted to announce that a new Hospitality and Tourism Careers Oversight Group is to be established to address labour supply and skills developments issues which are currently affecting growth for tourism businesses. This new group will be chaired by Fáilte Ireland and include industry representative bodies, education providers and state agencies. The group will design and implement a major promotional campaign to encourage the more people to choose a career in tourism.
After reading this I sent an email to.
Mr. Paul Kelly.
CEO,
Fáilte Ireland
A very simple question, where does Motorhome tourism fit into all of this above or is this sector forgotten about?
This was the answer I received, from a Lackey.
John Browne (SP) <John.BrowneSP@failteireland.ie>
Tue, 20 Nov 2018, 16:35
to me
Dear Martin,
Thank you for your enquiry in relation to Motorhome tourism.
As you may know, there are currently 88 approved caravan and camping sites throughout the country that cater for visitors both in camper vans and touring caravans. Fáilte Ireland is currently developing a set of guidelines for camper van sites which will be introduced to Local Authorities in early 2019. In addition, we liaise on a regular basis with representatives of the Caravan and Camping sector to discuss the continued development and promotion of the sector.
Kind regards,
John
John Browne.
So I asked?
John.
Could you inform me of which of the motorhome/campervan clubs your group have liaise with as it appears to us that you only contact representatives of Caravan and Camping that required a campsite with all the facilities. Where as we do not not have the same requirements. Motorhomes are self sufficient and only require the facilities of an Aire such as Cobh every few days.
Regards
Martin.
I can only assume that Mr John Browne Communications Officer.( National Tourism Development Authority ) died shortly after, because that is the only logical reason for someone in his position, not to have answered my Question.
Further along the same newsletter.
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development gave a detailed briefing on the implementation of the Capital Investment Programme and the projects supported.
The Capital Investment Programme is a significant contributor to the economic and social developemnt of the tourism industry with a total fund of €300 million with €125 million set aside for projects up to 2022.
I do often ponder, what color envelopes, all this Investment went into.
One thing I do know, if any of it was spent on Motorhome Tourism. it was loose change.
