Overseas tourism is back to 1998 levels after a 15pc drop in visitors to Ireland last year, writes Aideen Sheehan.
Dublin was particularly hard hit with a 17pc drop in foreign tourism, Failte Ireland revealed yesterday.
The number of foreign visitors fell to 5,6 million last year compared with over eight million in 2007 - 200 000 fewer than Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin's estimate from two weeks ago.
And though more 'staycations' meant domestic tourism held its own last year, spending plummeted by 13pc to €4,6bn - down from over €6bn in 2007.
Failte Ireland chairman Redmond O'Donoghue said it had been “the worst of times” for tourism in 2010, but the industry had proved resilient with few closures.
More than half a million fewer British visitors travelled to Ireland last year, down 18pc on 2009; while the number of European visitors was down 17pc and there were 9pc fewer American tourists.
Two out of three hotels and most guesthouses and B&Bs said profits suffered during 2010.
Two-thirds of businesses had been forced to cut prices last year, and one-third expected they would have to lower them even further this year. - Irish Independent