Tourism slump - Visitors stay away from rip-off Ireland

will take a lot more than the marketing blitz planned by Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue to boost the number of British visitors to this country during 2005.

Not even those with the strong sterling in their pockets are likely to be wooed to one of the costliest countries in Europe. As shown by the recent exodus of Irish shoppers and holidaymakers to America, what people want above all is value for money. That’s what they are being promised as cheap flights and the internet bring low-cost Eastern European countries within easy reach.

There is no mystery behind the slowdown of the Irish tourism sector. Driven by greed and despite its denials the industry has itself to blame for effectively pricing this country out of the cut-throat tourism business.

Mr O’Donoghue’s first priority should be to end Ireland’s rip-off reputation.