Northern Ireland tourism chiefs hit back today after citizens from Australia, New Zealand and the US were advised by their governments to beware of the dissident republican threat.
Earlier this year police said the danger from dissidents was at its worst since the Real IRA Omagh attack in 1998 which killed 29 people. There have been a series of failed bomb attacks on members of the security forces and one in Lurgan, Co Armagh, this month in which three children were injured.
The Australian department of foreign affairs has warned citizens of bomb attacks aimed at police and military targets and said they should avoid demonstrations. "We advise you to be alert to your own security in Ireland," it said.
The United States bureau of consular affairs said: "US citizens travelling to Northern Ireland should remain alert to their surroundings and should be aware that if they choose to visit potential flashpoints or attend parades, sporadic violence remains a possibility".
The New Zealand ministry of foreign affairs has also warned its citizens about travelling to Northern Ireland, saying the annual parades which occur during the period of April to August "have the potential to turn violent and we recommend you avoid them".
A Northern Ireland Tourist Board spokeswoman said recent years had showed a huge increase in the number of visitors to Northern Ireland and the vast majority see the province as a safe and secure destination.
“Those who come here enjoy our rich heritage and stunning scenery and they see for themselves a new and optimistic destination. This is by far the experience of the majority of our visitors,” she said.
“Visitors can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome when they visit, and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, together with its industry partners, views tourism as central to the future economic growth of Northern Ireland.”
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation chief executive Janice Gault said the dissident threat should be put in perspective. "There are other countries in the world where terrorism is very much higher-profile and much more prevalent," she said. "We are not really in that position."
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said she would write to the Australian Ambassador in Dublin, Bruce Davis, and High Commissioner in London, John Dauth, to invite them to Northern Ireland.
"The decision by the Australian government to warn its citizens about visiting Northern Ireland seems to be somewhat of an over-reaction," she said. "It is the stated aim of dissident republicans to destabilise the peace and this type of advice plays right into their hands."