Sir, - I agree entirely with the sentiments in Kathy Sheridan's article "Frosty Failte" (Weekend, January 23rd). As someone who has been back living in Ireland for over six years I have had a consistent stream of friends visiting from all over the world, so I think that I am a good barometer.
There is no doubt that these visitors are not enjoying themselves as much as they used to. When talking to them, it becomes clear that we seem to have lost the one thing that used to set us apart from the rest of Europe - our genuine interest in people. This is symptomatic of the country's rapid development over the past five years. But we had better get it back fast or we will have no tourist industry in the years to come.
For me, the European tourist benchmark is France. Fifteen years ago France, particularly Paris, was not really a pleasant tourist experience because the French were so arrogant, especially if you did not speak French. Ireland is fast reaching this point. Compound this with poor roads and signage, lax planning in scenic areas, the worst local transport system in any OECD country (imagine building Dublin Airport without a rail link), ludicrous licensing laws, no real interest in children, hopeless value for money, and you have all the ingredients of a tourist hell on earth. And I haven't even included the rain or the litter. France in general has none of these problems; but what is remarkable about France is the huge change of attitude towards tourists in recent years. Paris is really a pleasant place to visit, even if your French is only Junior Cert level.
And don't talk to me about litter. Over Christmas I drove over 600 miles on French motorways and saw only two pieces of litter: One was a Casino supermarket plastic bag and the other a small plastic Volvic water bottle. We are light years behind our EU neighbours and any improvement will demand a sea change in the national character.
Finally, it amazes me that people visit Ireland at all. None of our visiting friends has returned, which to me is an indication of our weak and overrated tourist product: No repeaters. Ask your average Irish family who have been to France if they will go back and I bet the majority will say yes. Bord Failte and all those involved in Irish tourism should take a leaf from the French book and learn quickly, because otherwise you will not have a business in the years ahead. - Yours, etc., J. Desmond O'Flynn,
New Park Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.