Regions hit by big fall-off in tourism

THE number of bed nights generated by foreign holiday makers outside the Dublin region in 2003 was a massive 2.7 million less than it was in 1999.

The western seaboard from North Kerry to Donegal has taken the brunt of the loss in bed nights, according to the latest statistics. The biggest hit has been from Britain where cheap flights has undermined people travelling by ferry with their cars.

The figures are detailed in a new study: “How tourism to Ireland is changing: Regional Tourism.”