The number of nights being spent by tourists in western regions of Ireland has fallen dramatically, according to a report by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC).
The study, which analysed the regional distribution of tourism in Ireland, shows that between 1999 and 2003 there was a 2.7 million drop in the number of bednights spent by tourists in the west.
During the same period Dublin attracted nearly two million more bednights, with the south east and midland areas also recording increases.
The report said there was an overall decline of 3 per cent in the number of bednights by overseas holidaymakers to Ireland, despite the fact that overall numbers of visitors increased.
It contends Ireland has lost "its positioning in key segments of the British and European tourist markets".
It also maintains the fall in tourist numbers to rural Ireland is due to the changing profile of visitors attracted from Britain.
The ITIC says the increase in numbers travelling to Dublin reflected the emergence of two distinct tourists markets - those attracted by short city, and those attracted by the traditional appeals of scenery and people.
The ITIC called for a "tourism spatial strategy" to identify the barriers to exploiting the potential of certain regions.
Tourism Ireland has welcomed the publication of the ITIC study, saying "the reality of changing trends in the marketplace is hitting hard industry".
It said: "The growth in popularity of shorter urban-based breaks amongst time-poor/cash-rich consumers combined with shifts in behaviour such as last-minute booking and purchase decisions are impacting particularly strongly on tourism business to the regions of Ireland."