OVERSEAS VISITOR NUMBERS TO IRELAND DROP BY ALMOST ONE MILLION

I was shocked but not surprised by the figures which the CSO released this week. Overseas visits to Ireland fell by 11.6% last year. I knew the figures wouldn't be good - operators had been telling us that all year. But it's only when percentages are converted into actual numbers (911,500) that the stark reality hits home.

We all know that hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans have been hit hard in the past year. But spare a thought for suppliers, retailers and others who are also affected by these figures.

It seems to me that there is a lack of understanding of the size, scope and importance of the tourism industry to the Irish economy. But we are not unique in this. The same challenge exists in the UK. But it is doing something about it. In three weeks time, the fourth annual British Tourism Week will seek to highlight the significant contribution of the sector to the UK economy.

We need to do something similiar.