A group representing the tourism industry has called for support from the Government to combat the impact the Open Skies agreement will have on visitor numbers to Ireland's west coast.

HOLIDAYMAKERS are heading in droves to the United States thanks to SSIA bonuses pouring into their bank accounts and rock-bottom prices due to a weak dollar.

SIX leading hotels in the south-east have teamed up to bid for a greater share of the lucrative conference market.

TAX relief driven developments could increase room capacity in Irish hotels by 50% — 22,500 bedrooms — by July 2006, industry experts believe.

Threatened industrial action at the nation's airports and in the public transport sector would hold the tourism industry to ransom, the Irish Hotels Federation said today.

Disruptive action at the country's airports and in the public transport sector will damage Ireland's tourism industry and put the welfare of many employed in the sector at risk.

The cost of doing business in Ireland is the single biggest threat facing the success of the accommodation sector.

The Irish Hotels Federation has elected the general manager of Jurys Ballsbridge and the Towers Hotel, Dick Bourke as its new president.

The post mortem results of 21-year old Jamie Lonergan, who died in Clonmel on Thursday night, have confirmed that he died from multiple stab wounds.