Cheap flights take their toll on ferry and tourism trade

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.

While cities such as Dublin are benefiting from weekend air travellers from Britain, areas including Waterford and Wexford are being hit, said South East Tourism’s Joe Palmer.

The biggest challenge for tourism in Waterford in particular will be to grow the ferry market, the tourism group chief executive said.

“Competition from low-cost air carriers is having an impact. Ferry traffic is critical for the South East,” said Mr Palmer.

“People who come in on ferries stay longer, travel more and spend more.

“It’s very important that we have a distribution of tourism activity around the region. We are working very closely with the ferry companies to address the situation.”

Figures released by South East Tourism last year show that visitor numbers from Britain and the US were down significantly. While the number of Irish holidaymakers enjoying short breaks or full-week stays in the region was up, there was a drop-off in visitors from abroad.

Irish tourists holidaying in Waterford and the South East typically stay in hotels, but overseas visitors are more inclined to book into self-catering accommodation and bed and breakfasts.

The South East is the fourth-most popular Irish tourist destination and a particularly popular domestic destination.