Up, up and away

The planes have departed, and the limo has no doubt been repaired. We may have apparently inherited a few helicopters and are left wondering, have these visits by Her Majesty the Queen and President Obama been worth all the effort and hype, not to mention the cost?

Without doubt, most citizens of the island enjoyed the visits and came in huge numbers to express "Céad Míle Fáilte". One just has to look at the various news reports and print media coverage to see how important and extensively reported the comings and goings were focussed on. It is estimated that in excess of €300m, in publicity, was generated as a result of the visits. Credit must go to both Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland in ensuring the message was utilised to its fullest potential and our best features and where possible were exploited and highlighted.

History was made by the Queen's visit to the Garden of Remembrance memorial. That set the tone of the visit. If ever this island needed a clear and succinct message to be sent, that we are welcoming to one and all, it is now. This visit said it in spades. Despite a few misguided individuals - ironically clad in Man Utd. and other such t shirts supporting UK premiership football teams - trying to disrupt and thankfully failing miserably to do so, the message sent out was loud and clear. We are the island of welcomes and know how to show our visitors a welcome unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Just recall the image of the Queen in the English market in Cork, laughing with the stall holders and then her impromptu walk about with the people who gathered outside.

Then recall the Obama walkabout in Moneygall, which went way over the time allocated. And the scenes in College Green with the thousands who gathered to say another "Céad Míle Fáilte". Only good can come from all this exposure with the world’s media. In time we will see an increase in visitors from our near neighbours and further afield. Already the various agency websites, charged with marketing Ireland, have reported real and serious activity on all their sites and are beginning to see real business resulting from this. The latest CSO figures seem to confirm this with an 8% increase in the first quarter in visitor numbers.

The other good news for the sector? The government to introduce a visa waiver scheme for travellers with a UK visa who wish to visit Ireland. It will ensure a smooth, and less bureaucratic system, offered to our visitors to access the country, and is something Tourism Ireland have been requesting for some time. By eliminating the difficulty and expense associated with a separate Irish visa application, this will offer a welcome marketing opportunity to attract visitors from important emerging markets planning to visit the UK.

This, along with the recent job stimulus programme announced by the government, must be welcomed and seen as statement of support for the tourism industry. It is disappointing to see some businesses not passing on the reductions in VAT. These are some of the people who have been demanding action. The contentious JLC wages saga continues and shows no sign of been resolved. It should be remembered that the area of addressing wage agreements were pivotal during the negotiations re our IMF bailout and must be adhered to.

That said, the signals and outlook are a lot better than a year ago. We are hearing that room rates are improving and that confidence is slowly returning to the sector. It’s now up to all concerned to make sure they continue to drive the impetus started with the tourism recovery and ensure it is sustained. Like our good buddy Obama said, "Is féidir linn”

Cyril McAree

EDITOR