THIS year is shaping up to be the toughest in a decade for the tourism sector as a combination of bad weather, economic gloom and poor exchange rates hit visitor numbers to our most popular resorts.

A TOURISM body which has done Trojan work to promote Waterford and the South-East for the past 40 years, particularly during last year’s Tall Ships Race, is no more.

MUNSTER’S top tourist hotspots are to pool their pulling power in a new drive to boost visitor numbers.

CHEAP flights between Britain and Ireland are impacting on ferry trade and are having a huge effect on tourism in Waterford and the south east, an industry boss has warned.