Non-availability of tourist beds a threat to 2023 season, Minister told

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin was told the 'reputational risk' from Ireland cancelling contracts with tour operators could cost the country business for several years. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin has been warned by her own department that there is growing concern for the 2023 tourism season, given the numbers of Ukrainian refugees in tourist accommodation.

She has also been told that the "non-availability” of tourist accommodation, taken up by refugees, is disproportionately affecting some towns and counties, is costing hundreds of millions of euro to the wider non-accommodation economy, and leading to hotel pricing issues, especially in Dublin.