Short breaks at risk

RESEARCH:THE CELTIC Tiger trend of mini breaks in luxury hotels and spa breaks with girlfriends looks like becoming a thing of the past, according to a new report.

Demand for domestic travel grew continuously over 15 years up to 2008, according to the Tourism Opportunity - Driving Economic Renewalreport, with short leisure breaks accounting for the vast majority of trips.

However, there was an 8 per cent decline in domestic holiday trips in 2009 and spending was down by 18 per cent. Spending on these trips fell by a further 10 per cent last year, although demand for domestic breaks held up well.

With consumer spending forecast to fall by 4.3 per cent this year and a further 2.2 per cent next year, the report said demand for leisure trips in Ireland was expected to fall further. “Short leisure breaks in Ireland are at most risk.”

But it also suggested that the tough economic circumstances may see some people opting to holiday at home this summer.

The report was prepared for a coalition of tourism interests led by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and the Irish Hotels Federation. It sets out a 10-point plan to rescue the tourism sector and includes plans to re-launch Ireland as a tourism destination with the help of high-profile personalities from arts, sport and business.