A call for more reliable tourism statistics was made yesterday by the chairman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC), Mr David Bunworth. He was commenting on an ITIC survey which revealed a discrepancy between growth reported by airlines and car ferries and a decline being experienced by other tourism sectors.
The ITIC survey was carried out in the last week of August. Some operators reported growth of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent but others said their business had fallen by a similar amount or was, at best, barely up. On one point there is agreement: the major European markets, Germany and France, are down.
Mr Bunworth, marketing director of Aer Lingus, said yesterday: "Detailed, reliable information is essential for the industry's future planning. It is evident that much more detailed research than is currently available is needed to identify more clearly what is actually happening on the ground."
The transport sector within ITIC reported good business from Britain and north America. However, coach tour operators reported a softness in their segment of the US market.
In accommodation, the upper grade hotels appeared to do best. Reports from lower grade hotels, guest-houses and bed-and-breakfasts varied from a decline in business to only modest growth.
Opinions varied about the possible causes of the discrepancies shown up in the survey. These included regional variations, with Dublin and the east coast enjoying a considerable advantage with their concentration of access services.