The number of Irish people deciding to take their holidays at home is leading to a significant upturn in fortunes for the nation's tourism industry.
Tourism chiefs are now trying to devise a strategy aimed at filling so-called 'zombie hotels' rather than closing them on the grounds of excess capacity, which in some areas has reached 20 per cent.
Falling hotel prices and a weakening euro are causing more and more natives to stay at home while, at the same time, increasing Ireland's appeal to the lucrative British and American tourist trade. Millions of euros are currently being spent on foreign advertising campaigns, drawing attention to the good value available, particularly as accommodation in the Republic currently stands as some of the cheapest in Europe.
Leading tourism experts still believe, however, that it could take five years to recover the ground lost as a result of high prices and the international recession. Anticipation is high for any government strategy that seeks to assist this.
One of the proposals the government is being urged to consider is abolishing the airport departure tax, which would be an incentive to foreign visitors as well as encouragement for airlines to put on extra flights and routes.
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