Taoiseach launches tourism drive

A campaign promoting Ireland as a tourist destination was launched today by the Taoiseach at a conference.

The campaign, costing £14m of the £90m set aside for tourism, is an attempt by the government to offset what is predicted to be tough times ahead.

Speaking at the launch organised by CERT, the state agency charged with training the tourism industry, the Taoiseach said the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the events of September 11 have made 2001 a tough year for Irish tourism, adding there has been a reduced number of American visitors to Ireland.

Economic expert, Paul Tansey told the delegates that while international travel was down the focus should be on getting more Irish people to spend their holidays in Ireland. Last year Irish tourists spent more than £2,200m on foreign holidays.

"It is really a matter of keeping the show on the road through what looks like being a reasonably tough year next year," he added.

However, as the drive to attract more tourists begins the project to build a new hub for low-cost airlines looks set to be delayed. Reports claim that Aer Rianta says the conditions under which the pier was to be developed raised serious financial questions.