Tourism sector faces ‘worst year in decade’

THIS year is shaping up to be the toughest in a decade for the tourism sector as a combination of bad weather, economic gloom and poor exchange rates hit visitor numbers to our most popular resorts.

That’s according to a top executive with Fáilte Ireland, who said yesterday that newcomers to the industry would never have faced a season like this.

While some parts of the country are holding their own despite a number of negative factors, others are reporting a downturn in tourist numbers and money spent.