Tourism industry hit hard

AN urgent re-appraisal of Government policy for tourism-related industries in the wake of the significant downturn in US visitors to Ireland and the catastrophic impact which the poor summer is having on the home holiday industry was called for yesterday by the Small Firms Association.

SFA director Pat Delaney said the tourism industry and related leisure and entertainment industries are facing an economic crisis and the situation calls for immediate action: “Instead of waiting for these industries to simply collapse we must find new ways of maintaining the enormous investment and job creation which has taken place over the past six years.

"The impact of Foot and Mouth, September 11 and the economic downturn have seriously eroded confidence in the tourism sector. If hotels are mothballing bedrooms then many thousands of traditional seasonal jobs will disappear and it is only a matter of time before full-time jobs are lost.

"There are 30,000 employed in direct tourism, thousands more in the leisure and entertainment industries which are facing immediate threat. Add to that countless thousands of jobs in sub-supply to these industries and the bigger picture emerges.

"Best estimates show a reduction of almost 5,000 visitors a week into Ireland, mainly North Americans. With an average spend of 715.”

“The SFA is calling on the Minister for Tourism to formulate a political and diplomatic offensive to promote the Irish Tourist industry with particular emphasis on EU visitors.

"Even if we have to offer free flights and ferries into Ireland it would make more sense than having substantial investment in hotel infrastructure being under utilised.”