A $30,000 radio campaign advertising the north west as a tourist destination in America has been postponed due to the September 11th terror attacks, writes Linda McGrory.
The North West Tourism Authority campaign, due to be broadcast to 30 million Irish Americans on Irish Radio Network in November, has been deferred as a mark of respect and due to the economic fall-out from the disaster.
North West Tourism Authority regional tourism manager, Mr Paul McLoone, last night said there were "grave concerns" for the region's tourism industry in the wake of the disaster.
"Following consultation with tour operators in the US we've decided it would be wiser to concentrate our efforts on the domestic market," Mr McLoone said.
The fall-out from the attacks is being felt among hundreds of hotels, B&Bs and tour operators in the north west, who are receiving daily cancellations from American tourists.
The authority has been told by US tour operators they will have a better idea about next year's trends in January.
"If they give us some good indicators we will certainly recommence our advertising campaign. But we are not optimistic at this time," said Mr McLoone.