Operators are seeing demand tail off for Ireland as
consumers increasingly travel independently or seek out new
destinations.
Access to the country is at an all-time high with almost 100
flights a day from the UK, although the tourist office does not
expect visitor arrivals to increase this year. Ireland welcomed 4.7
million UK visitors last year, and a Tourism Ireland spokeswoman
said this has remained static in 2004.
Blakes Country Cottages head of retail sales Julia Slater said:
“Five years ago people were a bit worried about visiting Ireland
because of the IRA. Once the troubles came to an end they went in
droves, but now everybody’s been and they’re looking
for somewhere else.”
Operators agreed visitor traffic is still focused on Dublin and
needs to spread to the regions. “Tourism Ireland has spent a lot of
money on television advertising. The marketing is always very good;
I’m not sure it can do any more than it already does,” added
Slater.
Cresta Ireland brand manager Emma Halstead said there had been
some growth for the lesser-known West Coast this year, and added
she would like to expand the self-drive product in 2005.
She said she’d be happy to maintain rather than increase
visitor numbers next year, but said the 2005 Stena Line Holidays
programme – now under Cresta management (see story below)
– could see growth through the trade.
“We have a good relationship with travel agents and will be
looking to boost Stena sales through this channel.”
