Dublin and the east coast are enjoying a tourism boom, but parts of the south-west and west, which should be equally buoyant, have been hit by the rail dispute.
Bord Failte says a strong autumn showing from the British market will be needed to meet the targeted 6 per cent growth in visitor numbers this year.
Tourism and community groups in the south-west and west claimed at the weekend that the dispute has led to a substantial fall in revenue and a loss of seasonal jobs. Meanwhile, remote rural areas, relying solely on scenic appeal, are experiencing a lacklustre season.
The season is also marking the ongoing decline of a landmark in the State's tourism industry, the roadside bed-and-breakfast, with its offer of a hearty traditional Irish breakfast and a wholesome evening meal. These attractions alone are not enough any more to entice visitors in large numbers.
With consumer tastes changing, particularly among home holidaymakers - some opting for competitive hotel or self-catering rates, with others going abroad - industry sources agree the bed-and-breakfast industry will have to market local attractions to ensure its long-term survival.
The provision of accommodation will have to be accompanied by access to leisure facilities, such as fishing, pony-trekking, walking tours and golf. A marketing campaign, funded by an allocation from the Minister for Tourism, Dr McDaid, has been initiated to promote bed-and-breakfast and farmhouse holidays.
Preliminary Bord Failte estimates for January to June suggest a growth of 5 per cent in overall overseas visitor numbers. "These estimates indicate that north American and mainland European visitors grew by 7 per cent in each case," said a Bord Failte spokesman. "The Netherlands, Italy and France were particularly strong. British visitors recorded a growth of 4 per cent over the period."
An estimated six million people now visit the State annually, with the numbers usually peaking in August. Tourism in Dublin is currently booming, with an estimated 60,000 visitors daily. Cork and Galway also report a bumper season. As always the north-west, because of its remoteness and inaccessibility, is again likely to yield least in revenue from the industry.
Last year's revenue figures tell their own story. Dublin received £707 million; the south-west, £588 million; the west, £409 million; Shannon, £321 million; the midlands east, £284 million; the south-east, £277 million; and the north-west, £227 million.
However, the rail dispute could see a dent in revenue in the traditionally popular regions in the south-west and west, when the end-of-season revenue is calculated.
A public relations consultant, Mr Frank Lewis, spokesman for the Killarney Rail Action Group (KRAG), said the dispute had cost the area an estimated £15 million and 500 jobs. "About 90 per cent of the average of 2,000 people who daily pass through Killarney railway station at this time of the year are tourists." Mr Lewis said a Killarney Chamber of Commerce survey found a decline in business of about 20 per cent.
The chairman of the west region of Chambers of Commerce, Mr Peter Shanley, estimated that Mayo had lost £3 million in revenue over the August bank holiday weekend and subsequent week.
"For seven weeks there were no trains in and out of Westport and Ballina. It is having an impact on hostels, taxis, bicycle hire, pubs, self-catering and bed-and-breakfast accommodation. It is particularly hitting the small operator who relies on tourism for a seasonal income. Overall millions of pounds in revenue have been lost."
The chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, Mr John Power, predicted that the hotel sector will show a slight increase on last year, although there is likely to be a decline in the British market.
"I think the value of sterling relative to the punt has not been successfully communicated to the British market. Also, their pound is strong in most parts of the world, and there is considerable choice available out of Britain."
Mr Power said Dublin had a strong corporate and business base, as well as gaining from tourism, but hotels along the coast, from Donegal to Kerry, were facing strong competition from holiday homes and other accommodation outlets. Despite no increase in capacity, approved bed-and-breakfast outlets are not doing as well as last year, particularly from the domestic market, while demand from overseas is slightly down, according to Bord Failte's most recent figures.
Last month the chief executive of the Town and Country Homes Association (TCHA), Ms Margaret Storey, said some rural bed-and-breakfast operators were taking up part-time jobs or closing their B & Bs because of the slump in business over the past few years.
However, its chairwoman, Ms Vera Feeney, who operates a bed-and-breakfast business in Spiddal, Co Galway, said business had improved this month. "Our members report a good season, but promotion will be essential to sustain our share of the market."
The chairwoman of the Irish Farmhouse Holidays Association, Ms Kathryn Delany, said the 440 members of her organisation were reporting a good season.
"Dr McDaid, to his credit, has recognised the value of marketing. We have produced a range of postcards with our logo, and distributed them as a marketing tool. It is working.
"These days, you have to offer more than accommodation. If you provide the authentic farm experience, with other facilities such as nature walks, horse-riding and crazy golf, you will attract the visitors."