The majority of tourism operators believe this year will be as difficult as 2009 while almost one quarter of hotel operators believe it will be better, a tourist barometer survey by Fáilte Ireland has found.
Tourism revenue fell by almost 17 per cent last year to €5.2 billion - its lowest level since 2004.
Provisional figures show that the number of overseas visitors travelling to Ireland fell by 12 per cent and domestic trips within Ireland are estimated to have declined by about 5 per cent.
Redmond O’Donoghue, chairman of Failte Ireland said the best thing he could say about last year was that it was over.
"The downturn in international tourism witnessed over the second half of 2008, accelerated during 2009 and made for an ugly year of trading for many businesses," he said.
"That said, it is hoped that 2010 will be the last tough year in what has been the most challenging cycle that Irish tourism has experienced. Businesses successfully trading through 2010 will have proved themselves resilient and capable of taking full advantage of the inevitable global economic upturn".
Fáilte Ireland's research found that bed and breakfast owners were most pessimistic about the year ahead, with 47 per cent believing that trade would be worse this year.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said the current indications were that 2010 would be another tough year for Irish tourism as many key markets continued to battle adverse economic conditions. He said the prospects for some markets, such as Germany and other key continental European markets appeared "relatively favourable" and growth was expected.
"Hopefully, this year will be the one where we turn the corner. However, there is no room for complacency and Fáilte Ireland will be stepping up its efforts – from helping to sustain individual businesses to stimulating consumer demand – to develop Irish tourism to reach its full potential," he said.
