Fáilte Ireland delivers upbeat outlook for 2010

FÁILTE Ireland has delivered an upbeat outlook for the 2010 tourism season, although many hotel and guesthouse owners expect little or no improvement in business this year.

The national tourism development authority yesterday expressed optimism that the industry could “turn a corner” this year after the overall number of overseas tourists to Ireland fell by 12% last year, largely due to a sharp decline in visitors from Britain and the US.

However, tourist accommodation providers are less certain that there are signs that there will be any notable increase in foreign and domestic tourists over the next 12 months. The number of Irish people holidaying at home also dropped by 5% during 2009.