B&Bs and visitor attractions are experiencing a more difficult tourism season this year, while walking holidays are still feeling the after-effects of the foot-and-mouth scare, tourism body Fáilte Ireland said yesterday.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said business for the first six months was "at best" on a par with last year but some sectors were suffering. "While hoteliers and car-hire firms are positive on the 2005 season so far, B&Bs and guesthouses are reporting more difficult market conditions, as are some visitor attractions."
Mr Quinn was addressing the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at Leinster House yesterday.
He said businesses in the west, northwest and southeast were reporting "ongoing challenges". There was a move towards more frequent, shorter breaks, booked at the last minute to cities and urban centres, particularly along the east coast.
Businesses in the midlands, east, southwest and Dublin were reporting increased bednights this year, Mr Quinn said.
Malcolm Connolly, Fáilte Ireland's industry development director, said walking holidays had performed very well up to six or seven years ago and Ireland had a definite competitive advantage. However, the sector "never really recovered" from the foot-and-mouth scare of 2001. The angling sector was experiencing a "plethora of problems", while cycling holidays had been affected by increased traffic on busier roads.
The Oireachtas committee heard that the number of hotel rooms has increased by almost 8,000 in the past five years and was expected to rise by more than 3,000 this year.
Mr Quinn said Irish tourism interests should be tapping into the growing market of the over 55-year-olds who were both "cash and time rich" and who were interested in heritage and culture, outdoor activities and health and wellbeing.
