TOURISM interests expressed serious concerns last night after it emerged that a management firm has been appointed to run Cork Kerry Tourism.

CORK’S designation as Europe’s cultural capital will be vital in attracting tourists to Ireland this year, an industry meeting was told yesterday.

CORK is a poor second to Kerry when it comes to tapping the revenue-generating potential of the tourist industry, the chief executive of Cork Kerry Tourism told the city’s business leaders yesterday.

TOURIST chiefs in the southwest region are celebrating bucking the national trend with an 5% increase in foreign visitors, and they are hoping to attract transatlantic flights into Cork Airport.

SNAKES, sea monsters, Vikings and samba bands provided the sparkle in St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the country yesterday while the saint himself supplied the weather.