Almost half the tourist operators in Tipperary, Kerry, Clare, Limerick and Offaly experienced a downturn in business last year, a new survey reveals.
The TNS/MRBI Shannon Tourism Insight Study 2003, commissioned by Shannon Development, shows 49 per cent of bed and breakfasts, hotels and leisure industries in the Shannon region experienced a fall in business in 2003. Of the 112 Shannon region businesses sampled, 18 per cent recorded an increase, while 33 per cent of those surveyed said business was "on a par" with the previous year, 2002.
The survey also revealed a significant downturn in the number of tourists visiting the Shannon region. Some 54 per cent of the businesses said overseas numbers had fallen, while 16 per cent recorded an increase. The poll also showed that 34 per cent of businesses surveyed experienced a downturn in domestic tourist numbers. Some 45 per cent said domestic business was "on a par" with 2002, while 21 per centregistered an increase.
A leading tourism executive yesterday expressed concern that the Shannon region could be adversely affected by the European Commission's decision on Ryanair.
Mr John Leonard, Shannon Development Regional Tourism manager, said Shannon Development needed to reflect on the Ryanair judgment and said there was "a need to open up access to the regions. It has been a tough season for business and we have concerns about regional isolation.
"You need greater access outside the Dublin region. If it [the Ryanair decision] were to have an impact it would be a concern," said Mr Leonard.
"Anything that might negatively impact on access to the region would not be greeted. Clearly this is a concern to Ryanair and it is an absolute concern for areas like Kerry, Shannon, and other western regions, like Knock," he added.
Mr Leonard's comments came as Shannon Development launched its regional tourism plan at special briefings in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and Birr, Co Offaly.
Shannon Development will spend €600,000 on overseas promotions in markets where there is direct air access to Shannon and the west. It will also engage in multi-regional and electronic marketing initiatives.
Mr Leonard said that although national figures showed an overall increase in visitor numbers to Ireland of 4 per cent, most of this was concentrated on the east coast near Dublin. The same numbers were not going to other regions, he said.
"The industry is experiencing a difficult time. That is not any great news, it is well known, but the challenge is for the regions and for the rest of Ireland."
He said the fall-out from September 11th, the Iraq war and other international factors directly affected tourism in the region.
In 2004 Shannon Development will attempt to improve tourism with various initiatives.
They will promote shorter breaks, targeting tourists from Britain, North America, Germany, France, Holland and Belgium because of "ease of access" through Shannon Airport.