Fear of Financial losses as Major Drop in Tourism Apparent

Tourism appears to be suffering badly in County Wicklow this year and the bad weather is being cited as a major contributory factor. While no official figures will be available until the season ends, people in the trade are fearing the worst if the weather does not improve.

A number of people in the industry have confirmed to Wicklowtoday.com that business is way down. One businessman who depends

A Summer's Day in the Garden County

hugely on summer trade told us that his business is down by a whopping 25 per cent on the same period last year when the foot and mouth restrictions were in place.

Tourist offices around the county have been getting a very negative feedback from people on the ground and while atrocious weather conditions are being blamed, there is also suggestions in some areas that consumer prices to tourists are too high.

Said one prominent businessman - `My business is down 25 per cent on last year which I find amazing when you consider the massive restrictions that were placed on travel in 2001. The number of visitors from America also seems to be on a huge downturn'.

While decisions by Irish people to holiday within the country are often made on the last minute, it is feared that most of this will be lost completely even if the weather does improve. Many people are not prepared to take the chance and instead opt for a package break in the sun.

A flood on the Main Street in Arklow this week following torrential rain summed up the nature of this Irish summer.