Tourism success hinges on new national stadium and second airport terminal, warns body

IRELAND needs a new national sports stadium, conference centre and a second airport terminal to avoid a slump in tourism within two years, the Government was warned yesterday.

Gillian Bowler, chair of the tourism development body Fáilte Ireland, issued the warning as she revealed holiday-makers, both domestic and foreign, spent a record €6.3 billion last year.

Ms Bowler believes 2004 could be another record-breaking year but added: "An exponential growth in Irish tourism needs the urgent delivery of three major projects: a new terminal at Dublin Airport, the national conference centre and a sports stadium.