Tourists confused by poor signposts

CONFUSING signposts and inferior quality roads are creating a frustrating, negative experience for Ireland’s €7.4 million tourists.

This is according to Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) president Annette Devine, who expressed the concern at the 69th IHF annual conference yesterday.

She urged the Minister for the Environment to set national standards for all local authorities to abide with international practice, saying this would eliminate the varying quality of signage from county to county.

Ms Devine said it was senseless investing significant budgets in marketing campaigns to attract visitors to specific regions only to have them get lost when they eventually get here.

“Every tourist who relates a negative experience influences an additional four potential visitors deciding not to visit Ireland because of what they have heard,” said Ms Devine.

The IHF said 40 bodies implement road signage with each county having its own approach and no obvious links to other counties.