Tourism Body To Meet T.D.'s On Foot and Mouth Issue

Members of Wicklow Tourism will meet the five T.D.'s for the county this afternoon in Wicklow to highlight the difficulties being faced by the local tourism industry , particularly in rural areas.

`While many key areas in the county are open again for business, the industry has suffered

View Over Blessington Lakes

enormously in recent months and the long term future of many businesses are in jeopardy as substantial losses are evident in the tourism trade', said Bairbre Curley, Marketing Manager with Wicklow Tourism.

However, she stressed the fact that the tourism body fully supports any measures taken to minimise the risk of foot and mouth disease spreading in the Republic and has encouraged members to implement preventative measures in order to safeguard the industry in the county.

`The tourism trade in Wicklow has already lost thousands of pounds in business since the precautions have begun. Co. Wicklow has generated 49 million pounds in revenue from overseas visitors and it is estimated that the domestic market generated a similar amount. Especially hard hit has been the accommodation sector and outdoor activities businesses that market walking, cycling and trail riding. It is having a knock-on effect for other businesses such as pubs and restaurants ' said Bairbre.

She made a heartfelt plea to the inhabitants of Co. Wicklow to help salvage the tourism season in Wicklow by encouraging friends and relatives who live abroad to holiday in Wicklow this year and visit the many attractions that the county has to offer.

The areas still closed off to the public include Glendalough, National Park, Powerscourt Waterfall and Riverwalk but some of the other facilities open again are Wicklow Gaol, Russborough House in Blessington, Sealife in Bray, the National Garden Exhibition Centre in Kilquade and certain activities on Blessington lakes.