€3m marketing move to aid tourism industry

TOURISM Minister John O'Donoghue, announcing a new €3m marketing package for the industry yesterday, said that it was not a time for those involved in tourism to be trapped in a "negative psychology".

The tourist season has been disappointing this year with some sectors reporting a 20% fall in business.

Hotels depending on US business, particularly those dependent upon coach tours, are even harder hit, with some reporting a drop of around 40% in trade.