'Major stimulus needed' for tourism recovery

Pat Dawson warned the closure of Cork Airport for up to 12 weeks, for essential works, could hinder travel plans in the Cork area, despite those flights being diverted through Dublin.

The ITAA said this year will see only around 20% of 2019 passenger levels flying out of the country before a more serious improvement next year and a possible return to normal in 2023.

A “major" stimulus package will be needed to drive a meaningful recovery in Irish tourism, the industry has warned.

The call comes on the back of latest CSO figures showing overseas travel numbers in and out of Ireland remaining “dramatically lower” than pre-Covid levels despite restrictions being lifted last month.