Tourism Ireland is embarking on a major UK campaign this year. According to Kate Holmquist, Ronan Keating is even helping out. The tourism body is targetting a 3% increase in UK visitor numbers for 2010 following a 15% decline last year. One of its key actions is to market Ireland as an 'excellent value' destination, to dispel the perception that it is expensive to holiday here. In a survey last year, Hotels.com found that Ireland had the cheapest room rates in western Europe. Average rates have fallen even further since then.
However, not everyone knows this, but one would expect the chief travel writer with The Sunday Times to be informed. But no. Last Sunday, January 10th, Stephen Bleach wrote 'from the room rates at Ireland's hotels, you'd think the Celtic tiger had never stopped roaring'. He added that 'car hire costs a mint, too'.
Travel journalists tend to be a trusted species, especially ones from established newspapers. Their perceived wisdom helps confused holidaymakers make choices. Regretfully, many people in the UK got an innacurate and negative message about the cost of holidaying here last Sunday. Tourism Ireland's job has just got harder. Perhaps Stephen should visit to get the real story!
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