Tourism chief says Stay-and-Spend scheme has fallen 'flat on its face'

Irish Tourism Industry Confederation chief executive Eoghan O'Mara Walsh said the scheme had "fallen flat on its face" in its current guise, claiming it was too narrow, cumbersome and off-putting for many people. Picture: Andy Gibson

A major tourism body has called for the Government's Stay and Spend scheme to be revamped and simplified in time for the summer season in order to help prevent much of the industry's small businesses from going to the wall.

Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) chief executive Eoghan O'Mara Walsh said the scheme had "fallen flat on its face" in its current guise, claiming it was too narrow, cumbersome and off-putting for many people.