Tourism

HC Deb 30 January 1986 vol 90 cc1081-2

5. Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many United Kingdom and overseas tourists visited Northern Ireland in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Dr. Rhodes Boyson)

The most recent figures are for 1984, when Northern Ireland was visited by 405,000 tourists from Britain and by 503,000 from elsewhere, including the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Bowden

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Could any further steps be taken to encourage tourists to go to Northern Ireland?

Dr. Boyson

The increase in the number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland from 588,000 in 1981 to 908,000 in 1984 shows the attractions of the Province. If right hon. and hon. Members and others in Britain realise how nice the Province is, and how hospitable ordinary people in both communities are, there would be even more visitors.

Mr. Madden

Does the Minister agree that one of the reasons why people do not visit Northern Ireland—or, indeed, the Republic—is the high cost of travel? Does he have in mind the possibility of holding discussions with carriers and the Government of the Republic, through the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, on ways to reduce the costs of travel?

Dr. Boyson

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board considers that matter regularly. I am quite prepared to have further discussions with the board. I shall send the hon. Gentleman a letter saying whether anything can be done to help to increase tourism in Northern Ireland in that way.

Mr. Hume

Does the Minister agree that there is a serious shortage of hotel bedrooms in many parts of Northern Ireland? When will the Government reintroduce grants to help build hotels in Northern Ireland?

Dr. Boyson

When the grant system was available, so many requests were made that there was a waiting list. That waiting list has now more or less come to an end. I hope that within days we can announce a new scheme, bearing in mind that bookings of hotel rooms have increased by one third in three years. The recent long-range meteorological report for Northern Ireland is that we can expect good weather this summer. I hope that hon. Members will book their holidays there.