I am delighted to be here today to lend my support to this workshop which has been organised by the Marine Institute to give you, the key players in the public sector, the opportunity to consider how the marine tourism sector can best be positioned for optimal sustainable development over the next few years.
As you are aware, the Marine Institute is undertaking a comprehensive review of the research and development needs of the whole marine sector, and marine tourism has been identified as having potential for growth if it is properly supported and managed.
I very much applaud Peter Heffernan and Yvonne Shields of the Marine Institute in taking this initiative to bring together representatives from the public sector to consider how to meet the challenge of bringing this sector forward.
Undoubtedly, there is scope for growth in this area, and the potential gains for coastal areas, which have limited employment opportunities, are very significant. While the international trend is towards marine tourism growth this, however, has not been reflected in Ireland over the last number of years. There are complex national and international factors involved, and I know you will be exploring these and considering what can be done to reverse the downturn in water-based tourism numbers.
One important factor that impacts on development is the number of different Government Departments and state bodies involved. The challenge for us here today is to devise a coherent strategy that will take account of the complexity of the sector and suggest ways to remove the institutional and organisational barriers to development. I am convinced that an integrated approach within the overall national and regional tourism framework is needed. This will involve the co-operation of a number of Government Departments and bodies, and I am glad to note that senior representatives from many of these key bodies are present here today. In the context of the importance of local organisation, delivery and management, I am also delighted to see senior executives from so many different counties.
Following a period of consultation with stakeholders, and drawing on a number of studies commissioned to assess the value and potential of the marine sector, the Marine Institute has drawn up a discussion document which sets out the opportunities and challenges facing the development of the sector. Yvonne Shields will be presenting the key elements of this strategy here today, and I know that the draft sets out ambitious targets and does not minimise the extent of the challenge that meeting these growth targets will entail.
It will be a matter for yourselves, and other key stakeholders, to consider the extent to which the strategy is realistic and attainable, and what national and regional support frameworks are required to make it happen. I can assure you that the Department will be supportive of the new implementation strategies and implementation mechanisms that emerge from this process.
As well as examining the policy issues, the potential market and product development opportunities, and ways to encourage investment in the sector, I understand that you will also be presented with two case studies that demonstrate successful models for locally driven and managed marine tourism initiatives. I hope that you will find these models useful and inspiring to you in considering the challenges in your own particular areas.
Coming as I do from Donegal, I am particularly interested in the initiatives taken by Donegal County Council in moving towards a marine tourism development plan for the county. While some of the issues have led to heated local debate, this has proved healthy in reaching a consensus on balancing the needs of local leisure interest, tourism, investors, state agencies and environmental considerations.
We do need to recognise in devising development opportunities that some of these may carry an environmental cost, and can damage the very resource that is attracting tourists and domestic visitors in the first place. In developing a coherent framework to support development in the sector, conservation and maintenance of the underlying natural environment will be of prime importance.
The challenge of bringing together all the elements involved in developing this sector is complex and demanding. I hope that you have a stimulating and productive day in examining all the aspects involved. I look forward to hearing the outcome of your deliberations. Thank you.