The Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA) has called on the government to support the tourism sector to combat Brexit, insurance premium concerns, and international market competitiveness.

The AVEA National Conference heard that 2018 was a record year for Irish tourism, with the 22.6 million visitors to key attractions in Ireland contributing €489 million in revenues to the Irish economy, compared to the performance of 2019 which will be down by up to 10% on the previous year.

Chairman Paul Carty told delegates in his opening address at Thomond Park:

“Our recently published Annual Members Survey showed that 2018 was a record year for Irish tourism.

"Our members, who employ nearly 4,000 people nationwide, welcomed 22.6 million visitors and generated €489 million in revenue, much of which flows into local economies.

"However, the survey also highlights significant challenges facing our sector in 2019.”

Incoming AVEA Chairman Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director of Shannon Groups tourist attraction company, Shannon Heritage, said:

Unfortunately 2019 has not lived up to visitor expectations so far, and while the VEA sector remains positive, performance will be down by up to 10% on 2018.

"Clouds are gathering on the horizon for Irish tourism; Brexit, market competitiveness and more unstable geo-social and political environments in many of our key international markets.

"Now is the time for a close working relationship with government to realise how a championed VEA sector can play an even greater role in neutralising some of these obvious challenges.

"Tourism is a vital part of the national economy, creating jobs in rural Ireland where other industries are not located."

At the conference, AVEA also launched its first Responsible Tourism Initiative with the National Biodiversity Centre Director Liam Lysaght, who is speaking at the event.

Grainne Kelliher, CEO of Airfield estate and Vice-Chair of AVEA said:

"A core initiative for 2019 was to develop a Responsible Tourism Charter to enable our members to develop or enhance their own sustainable tourism policies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector and protect our many heritage treasures so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.

"AVEA attractions are firmly rooted in Ireland’s cultural heritage and have survived countless generations; their ongoing prosperity is integral to delivering the narrative of our history.”

Climate change is a key consideration for everyone and every business, we want to act now to address this challenge. It is also becoming important for visitors when choosing a holiday destination too.

"We now need to show and tell our visitors how seriously we take sustainability, by raising the bar to drive the sustainability ethos amongst our AVEA members, the communities in which we are located and in the wider Irish tourism industry.”

Over the two days, delegates will hear from keynote speaker James Bailey, Marketing Director, Longleat House & Safari Park, entrepreneur and broadcaster Bobby Kerr, as well as a host of other panellists as the challenges and opportunities facing the sector will be discussed and debated.