“stop sitting on the pavements”

Solid advice

now if we just had an ad campaign with this advice we could end homelessness and addiction

Let’s make Ireland the premier Ecotourism destination in Europe. Green image internationally. Small island population. Abundance of natural resources waiting to be harnessed :)

http://www.IrelandEcotourism.ie

Why are they just settling for a 20% increase?An extra 1 person for every 5 that comes already?Typical low expectations and target standards on a government agency.They dont want to aim too high in case they dont meet it! Pathetic. Can you imagine a German agency saying the same?..not a chance!!They should be looking to double the figures we have now!If they dont meet 100% at least they’ll achieve a hell of a lot more than 20%!!!Tourism Ireland really needs to get its act together.They should be liaising with Irish Airlines and foreign airlines and creating package holidays at affordable prices like Spain etc using all the resources we have …scenery, culture, fishing, history, surfing, genealogy,gaeltachts, golf, education, the “craic”!!!Push the boat out folks because we need millions of tourists entering Ireland to fill up the empty hotels and b&b’s!!And its not just Americans we need to get here…we need to entice mainland Europeans here( a market of 500 million who can readily access us with cheap flights!)Prices still need to come down though to attract people….the tourist sector should be looking at volume of people rather than profit per head.If Tourism Ireland a privately run company..20% would be laughed at!

Visit Norway. Then reassess that thought. When I visited Norway the amount of Chinese tourist really struck me, I wonder how the Norwegian tourist board are doing that and can we simply copy it.

I can’t agree or disagree when it comes to Norway because I have never been there, but there is no reason for the prices in Ireland to be as expensive as they are. For example if you look at 2 identical products for sale, one of them for sale in France, the other for sale in Ireland, almost guaranteed that the Irish product is much more expensive.

you’re spot on Vincent, the Australian tourist board were very quick to respond to a changing market. They realise that the day of the European tourist is gone so they have invested heavily in promoting the place in China.

Ireland as a destination isn’t well promoted downunder which is a wasted opportunity as they are cashed up and there is a massive Irish diaspora here. Italy seems to be the holiday destination of choice for Aussies of Irish or British extract.

Marlon I don’t it would be necessarily good for the economy if tourists came back to live. The rest of your points seem sincere and valid.

Hey Kevin… Thanks for your comment. I’m sure that many Irish Natives, as yourself, are concerned about immigrants due to the current state of the economy. I’m also sure that this concern by many has nothing to do with malice or prejudice, but has a lot to do with fear. The fear of how much further down the hole can we go? Or, will these persons become a responsibility of the government?

I would like to put forward these arguments: 1) Tourists who fall in love with this country, like myself, can bring skills and resources. I relocated to this country with a pocket full of money, several college degrees and loads of work experience in many different industries. 2) Should America stop allowing Irish Natives to relocate to America? America has accepted many emigrants from Ireland for over 150 years. America has permitted many to immigrate to its land, when the American economy was good and when it was bad. Furthermore, the Irish Government is lobbying US Congress to forgive illegal Irish aliens and give them automatic citizenship.

Again, I know you mean no malice or prejudice. But tourism, immigration and emigration should have certain reciprocity.

A nonot

We try that again.. Another 9-11 type event and the Americans will never fly again, a false economy that can disappear with bad weather or ash clouds … even out of the control of the minister of the environment.

That’s why coaxing more Brits to come and visit Ireland is very important. They keeping banging on about numbers being down from the UK, unfortunately this is mainly due to the reputation Ireland has as being an extremely expensive country to visit for a short holiday.

Before we make pejorative statements on “Fat Yanks” who spend their hard earned money and often lifetime savings to come here and spend their money and experience this country and guess what INVEST !! – I feel some rebuttal is due – BE IN NO DOUBT It is the “whims” of FAT IRISH people that makes this country un-competitive, corrupt, litter strewn, often lacking in courtesy, woeful service at times and in places,and lacking in infrastructure…I could go on..but I chose to see the positive in Irish people whom in general are not so hostile as the individual who refers to “fat yanks”.

Yours sincerely

YANK.

when you refer to “investment” I assume you’re referring to the companies who invest and then with a moments notice leave when there’s cheaper labour in Eastern Europe/China??