A report carried out by Dublin City University Business School found that products, services and activities provided by the drinks industry account for a sizeable chunk of our €5.7 billion tourist industry.
The report, Contribution of the Drinks Industry to Tourism, Festivals and Sport, by Anthony Foley of the University outlined both the more obvious contributions made by the industry (through sponsorship of events and organisations) but also the implicit way the industry adds value to the economy; for example, the fact that the pub is the most widely used facility for meals by overseas tourists.
The report comes in the wake of comments made by the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Drinks Industry who warned; “Without sponsorship [by the drinks industry], organisations would find it very difficult to host major sporting events in this country, from rugby to horse-racing, which would, in turn, impact negatively on income.”
Following the report’s publication, Chairperson of DIGI and Diageo’s European Corporate Relations Director, Peter O’Brien called for the government to acknowledge the critical role tourism will play in Ireland’s economic recovery, and the drinks industry’s presence in this sphere.
