Irish tourism suffers as war grips Middle East

Tourism in Ireland has already been affected by the war in Iraq, according to a tourist body set up under the Good Friday Agreement.

Tourist chiefs from both sides of the border have already met to discuss the problem after it was confirm that inquiries had dropped two weeks before the war in Iraq began on Thursday.

The Tourism Response Group, which comprises members from Bord Failte, Tourism Ireland the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, met to discuss how they are likely to combat the problem over the coming months.

A recovery fund has already been put in place to enable Tourism Ireland to target those markets most likely to recover from the aftermath of the war.

Paul O'Toole, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, confirmed his organisation was currently looking at the effects of how war would impact on consumer confidence and the post-war period and how soon confidence would return following war.

(MB)