Dismal forecast for tourism in 2005

THE tourism industry is expecting a bleak 2005 after a weak 2004 to date, the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Barometer survey has found.

The Tourism Barometer covers 888 tourism establishments throughout the State.

The survey found that while overseas visitor numbers for the first seven months of 2004 are running 5% ahead of last year, most regions and sectors have had a worse tourist season than in 2003.