Irish Examiner view: Future of tourism relies on long-term thinking

Shortages in accommodation and staff, along with spiralling costs, threaten the vitality of a sector vital to Ireland’s economic wellbeing

A deserted check-in area at Cork Airport terminal building during the pandemic. Picture: Larry Cummins

Reports that some four-star hotels in Dublin are quoting prices of nearly €400 for a one-night stay might mislead us into thinking we should let the good times roll. But we would be mistaken. If we add hugely disproportionate charges to a recovering tourist market, we might do well in the short term. But in the long term, they will come back to bite us.

Certainly, there is pent-up demand among visitors to enjoy everything Ireland has to offer but accommodation prices, car hire shortages, car hire prices, and the perpetual difficulty of finding staff represent a four-way threat to the vitality of a sector central to the country’s economic wellbeing.