Dubliners with a true grá for their city are to be asked to volunteer to go for a free cup of tea or a pint with tourists, as part of an innovative new initiative aimed at boosting visitor numbers.

According to a recent presentation to the Dublin Regional Authority (DRA), the "City of a Thousand Welcomes" project will make Dublin the "only city in the world where locals are literally queuing up to welcome visitors".

Under the plans, visitors will be paired with Dublin "ambassadors" who have similar occupations and interests as themselves.

They'll then enjoy a free cup of tea, coffee or a pint together while the ambassador tells them all about the city they live in.

To become an ambassador, applicants will have to be over 21 and normally resident in Dublin.

They will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire, pass an exam about Dublin and also attend a short interview.

"Only the most passionate and knowledgeable advocates are chosen to represent the city," according to a pro­mo- tional document which accompanied the presentation.

The benefits to the sponsors include positive PR and inclusion in marketing material associated with the project.

The headquarters for the project will be 14/15 St Stephen's Green. It will incorporate a small museum of Dublin and a well-appointed drawing room where meetings between Dubliners and visitors will occur.

Use of the building has been sponsored by Dublin City Council, while the DRA is also providing €25,000 in set-up and implementation funding for the project.

Other commercial sponsors signed up to date include Bewleys Café and Porterhouse bars, both of which will provide a limited amount of free beverages –and in the case of the Porterhouse Group, alcohol – for ambassadors and their visitors.

The project is being spearheaded by the writer and former publisher of the Dubliner magazine, Trevor White.

He was not in a position to comment when contacted by this newspaper last week.

However, Labour Party councillor Kevin Humphreys, a member of the DRA, told the Sunday Tribune it had decided to contribute €25,000 funding for what was a "very positive initiative".

"One of the most positive elements I think is the fact that it allows the public to engage with tourists. There is definitely an enthusiasm there to give something back to the city," he said.

"It will allow people who have a bit of time to welcome people to the city they love. So I think that is a really positive thing, and a nice way to meet people from different parts of the world."