John Ellis
Question:58 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to encourage local communities to establish tourism-related projects in their areas. [10237/96]
Written Answers. - Encouragement of Local Community Tourism.
Local communities can play an important role in the development of tourism through enhancing the attraction of their localities and in supporting tourism projects at local level. There have been many examples of where community development groups, often in association with the local authorities, have taken initiatives to develop tourist attractions and amenities. Such projects may be eligible for State or EU support under a wide range of programmes and schemes already in operation. However, it is important that such projects are well thought out and properly assessed and structured so that they can operate viably and that they are complementary to other tourist developments in the area.
The regional tourism organisations which were established by Bord Fáilte under section 5 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952, and SFADCo are the the official tourism authorities at regional level. These organisations, in conjunction with the county tourism committees, play an important role in co-ordinating development proposals at regional level and in carrying out initial assessments of relevant grant applications under the Operational Programme for Tourism within their regions.