Madam, - Regarding the increasing disparity in tourism between Dublin and the rest of the country, I noted with surprise and delight the number of times people went out of their way to give us directions, when our extended family holidayed recently in the west. This courtesy is now almost invisible in Dublin, where many shop assistants would rather chew gum and laugh with their colleagues than make eye contact with their customers. We also were pleased with the high standard of food available in restaurants and pubs, though the cost was high. Perhaps Dublin is attracting a different type of tourist now, one more interested in Temple Bar than Trinity College.
There were, of course, a number of minuses: the signposting is horrendous and potentially lethal (Portlaoise is a nightmare); we were charged 4 euro to park in a field at the Cliffs of Moher (who benefits from this shameless profiteering?), but we enjoyed a day's shopping in a bustling and friendly Limerick, contrary to its reputation. I firmly believe the future of tourism lies in our own hands, in doing the things we do best. But we need to clean up our act, and quickly. - Yours etc,
JAMES KINSELLA,
Arklow,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, - Peter Evans (August 11th) touches briefly on the causes of the decline in tourism in Ireland at large. I should like to offer my own elaboration.
As an over-55 widower, I am regularly sent "special offers" by hotel groups in Ireland. These specials - e.g. three nights' DBB mid-week for around €300-400 - are never such good value for me as a week or fortnight abroad. You have only to compare side-by-side advertisements in The Irish Times's "Personal" columns.
Many tourist operators in Ireland are pricing themselves out of my market. And I am one of thousands who will not avail of Irish offers when others are offering better deals in better climes.
Our business is lost to Irish tourism because of overcharging and poor value. And no, most of us are not miserly - in fact I'm not afraid to spend money and I tip generously.
As an aside, I feel discriminated against as a widower, travelling alone, being charged single-room supplements by hotels and B&Bs.
Not acceptable to me, I'm afraid, so I take my money and custom somewhere else. - Yours, etc,
JOE COLGAN,
Laytown,
Co Meath.