Further improvement in tourism on cards, says group

BARRING another international terrorist attack, 2003 should see a further recovery in tourism, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) declared yesterday.

While there were 6.2 million less visitors in 2002 than in 2000, the confederation is confident about the future of the industry, which will also depend on the health of air travel.

Indeed, the air industry was given a boost on Friday when a Korean air jet carrying Korean tourists touched down in Taiwan. It was the first flight of its kind since diplomatic relations and air links were cut a decade ago. ITIC chief executive Brendan Leah said Ireland was still a destination in demand, with strong market appeal.