Ireland’s tourism industry is undergoing a modest recovery despite another difficult year, figures reveal.

THE much criticised air travel tax is to be slashed from €10 to €3 per passenger in a bid to boost ailing tourism numbers.

BROTHERS Ger and Kieran Coakley of Clonakilty scored a remarkable double at the All-Ireland Ploughing Championships last week.

TOURISM leaders have hit out at the new air travel tax, which they claim will cost jobs in hotels, airports, airlines and other sectors of the industry against a background of falling visitor numbers.

EAMONN McKEOWN, the chief executive of the Great Southern Hotel group, has stepped down from his position.