Fáilte Ireland has unveiled its plans for 2023 to help support the sustainable recovery of the tourism sector this year.

Enjoying the Fáilte Ireland regional tourism industry briefing in the INEC Killarney from left: Brian Miley (Gleneagle Hotel Group) Josephine O'Driscoll (Fáilte Ireland) Laura Tangney (Tangneys of Killarney) Brigid O'Keeffe (Chief Executive Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

At the Fáilte Ireland regional tourism industry briefing in the INEC Killarney were: Padraig Hanley (Kenmare Boat Tours) Stephen O'Sullivan (Molly Gallivans) Don Colbert (Fáilte Ireland) and Barry Hanley (Bere Island Holiday Homes). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Pictured at the Fáilte Ireland regional tourism industry briefing in the INEC Killarney from left: Key note speakers Paul Keeley (Fáilte Ireland) Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Kerry County Council) Breffni Ingerton (Gleneagle Hotel Group) Miriam Kennedy (Head of Wild Atlantic Way) and Patrick O'Donoghue (Director Gleneagle Hotel Group). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fáilte Ireland launched its 2023 plans on Thursday at a regional tourism industry briefing in the INEC Killarney. From left: Louise O'Mahony (Tangneys of Killarney) Diane Fawsitt (Killarney House) Susan Randles (The Dromhall Hotel) and Danielle Favier (Fáilte Ireland). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

At the Fáilte Ireland regional tourism industry briefing in the INEC Killarney from left: Niamh O'Mahony (Murphys Ice Cream) Declan Murphy (Fáilte Ireland) Helen Heaton (Castlewood House) Lasse Mulcahy (Louis Mulcahy Pottery) and Miriam Ferriter (Skellig Hotel and Benners Hotel). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fáilte Ireland launched its 2023 plans on Thursday in the INEC Killarney. Pictured from left: Breffni Ingerton (Gleneagle Hotel Group) Josephine O'Driscoll (Fáilte Ireland) Pat Chawke (Wander Wild Festival) Niamh O'Shea (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce) and Conor Hennigan (Hennigan Hospitality). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

The plans were announced at a special virtual event for the tourism industry watched by over 1,700 tourism operators, providers and employers from across the sector.
 
Fáilte Ireland’s plans in 2023 focus on seven key areas which include; Business Recovery, Tourism Careers, Domestic Marketing, Opening the Outdoors, Industry Digitalisation, Destination Development and Climate Action.
 
“Our plans for 2023 are built around seven key pillars that we believe will lead to transformational change," Fáilte Ireland’s CEO, Paul Kelly, explained.

"These are driving sustainable recovery at the level of individual businesses; supporting employers and employees in making tourism an attractive long-term career; accelerating growth in domestic tourism; enhancing our outdoor tourism product and the quality of visitor experiences in destinations; building the digitalisation of the industry and driving climate action.”
 
The domestic market is critical for sustainable recovery and plays a key role in driving regional and seasonal spread, he added.

"Looking at the domestic market, consideration for taking a domestic holiday in 2023 is at 82% which is in line with 2019 levels and intention to take a domestic break in the next three months is at 23%. Visitor satisfaction is high but offering good value for money is critical to convert this domestic intention into domestic bookings.
 
“A recent analysis conducted by Fáilte Ireland’s Economic and Industry Analysis team showed the tourism sector lost €12bn in revenue due to the pandemic. The very welcome and comprehensive package of Government supports injected approximately €6bn into the sector to keep businesses alive but the sector still had to manage through a huge net loss of €6bn in revenue.”
 
Fáilte Ireland also unveiled details of its new Motivations Framework which has been created using behavioural science and extensive research to understand peoples’ motivation for travel. This will provide tourism businesses with useful insights to help shape their offering and experiences and inform their sales and marketing activities.
 
The virtual launch is being followed by in-person events for industry across nine regional locations this week.