Fáilte Ireland defends 5% drop in overseas visitors to mid-west

FÁILTE Ireland has defended figures which showed a 5% drop in overseas visitors to the mid-west.

However, tourism interests in the region are critical of the tourism agency.

Fáilte Ireland said the decline had to be put in the context of huge gains in the mid-west during 2006 which were realistically unsustainable.

But Shannon Development, which promotes mid-west tourism said the Fáilte Ireland figure was only an assessment and the true 2007 figure would not be known until April.

John King, Shannon Development’s tourism boss said: “We find it a bit puzzling. Shannon Heritage — the Shannon Development subsidiary which manages Bunratty Castle and other attractions — has reported an increase of 3.5% in 2007.”

However, Brian Maher, head of research and policy development with Fáilte Ireland, defended the statistics.

He said: “The figures are for the period January to September and while the overall 2007 figure won’t be available until April, the 12-month figure will show no great difference overall. The last three months of the year will not see the 5% decline being revised to any significant degree. The last quarter realistically does not have any significant bearing or impact as things are pretty well established by September. Realistically it is unlikely to change the underlying performance figure showing a drop of 5%. There may be a minor change to the figure we have now.”

However, Mr Maher said the slight drop for 2007 must be taken in the context of a massive 25% increase in overseas visitors to the mid-west in 2006.

Mr Maher said if the huge gain of 2006 and the slight drop of 2007 are taken together they represent a 10% gain year on year during 2006 and 2007.

Mr Maher said the huge success of the mid-west in attracting overseas visitors in 2006 was due to an upsurge in British visitor numbers and was unsustainable.

Mr Maher said: “The underlying trend in overseas visitors to the Shannon region is one of growth over the past two years.”