Tourism (Hansard, 2 May 1996)

§ 4. Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further measures are proposed to attract visitors to Northern Ireland from (a) the rest of the United Kingdom, (b) the Republic of Ireland and (c) overseas; and if he will make a statement. [26378]

§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Michael Ancram)
The Northern Ireland tourist board continues to promote Northern Ireland vigorously in all identified markets. Through co-operative campaigns with the relevant tourist authorities, it will strive to build on the considerable growth in visitor arrivals in 1995. Continual priority is being paid to increasing facilities and improving standards.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
Is the Minister aware that the greatest hindrance to visitors leaving London for Northern Ireland is not the mountains, streams, rivers or seas, but the high prices and profits of British Airways and other principal operators between London and Northern Ireland? Will he make it his business to encourage British Airways and other principal carriers to reduce the prices of air fares between Northern Ireland and London's principal airports 1285 with a view to increasing the number of people—visitors and those living in London and Northern Ireland—who can use those routes? Is he aware that there is great competition over the route between London and Dublin with Ryan Air, which offers a genuinely low fare? Will he encourage other budget airlines to operate routes, provide competition and increase mobility?

§ Mr. Ancram
I am sure that the airlines will have heard what the hon. Gentleman said. The Government wish to encourage all those involved in promoting tourism to do so in a way that attracts the maximum number of visitors. It is interesting to note that, despite what the hon. Gentleman says, in 1995 there was a 14 per cent. increase on the previous year in the number of visitors from Great Britain. That was most encouraging. My right hon. and learned Friend has already mentioned the overall increase of 20 per cent. It is also interesting to note that there was a 53 per cent. increase in the number of tourists from north America and a 60 per cent. increase in the number of tourists from Australia and New Zealand. All in all, the Northern Ireland tourism industry is doing very well at promoting itself, increasing the number of holiday visitors and creating jobs in the process.

§ Mr. John Marshall
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the success of the Northern Ireland tourism industry depends on its ability to offer competitive prices? How would that competitive position be affected by the introduction of a national minimum wage or by the social chapter being signed?

§ Mr. Ancram
I very much agree with my hon. Friend, who makes a good point. One reason why Northern Ireland is doing well, not only in tourism but in general economic terms, is that the employment regulations are favourable to economic growth and activity. Certainly, if we were to sign up for the social chapter that would no longer happen.

§ Mr. William Ross
We were told earlier that last year roughly as many people came to visit Northern Ireland as actually live there. Although we commend the efforts of those who increase the number of visitors, what is the point of attracting people to Northern Ireland if we do not have good-quality accommodation for them? What steps do the Government and the tourist board intend to take to increase the amount of reasonable-quality accommodation in the main tourist areas, which were almost overcome by the number of visitors last year?

§ Mr. Ancram
I agree with the hon. Gentleman that, in a sense, we were victims of our own success last year, but I am sure that he will agree that that is the right kind of problem to have. I am delighted that hotel investment is taking place. Both the Stakis and Jurys hotel groups recently announced major hotel investments in Northern Ireland.
It is also worth reminding the hon. Gentleman that, since the beginning of 1995, the Northern Ireland tourist board has agreed, or has been in the process of negotiating, assistance to the hotel industry of £24 million. That investment represents total expenditure of more than £98 million on new and 1286 improved hotels. I hope that the problems caused by last year's success will gradually be met through such encouragement and support.