Hoteliers have expressed concern that the uncertainty over war with Iraq will seriously damage the already diminished US tourism market in the State.
American tourists are delaying booking their holidays to Ireland this year because of the situation, an Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) spokesman said yesterday.
"The overriding concern in the IHF is the uncertainty the war with Iraq creates.
"If there is war, then Americans won't travel," he said.
Mr Willie O'Dea, the Limerick East TD and Minister for State for Justice, said a number of local hoteliers had been in touch to say that they were worried about the situation.
"Because of the protests, the concern is there could be a perception in the US that they are not wanted here and that is very dangerous because of the high number of US-owned businesses in the region," he said.