A SAFETY warning by the Australian government to citizens travelling to Northern Ireland has drawn strong criticism from hoteliers and other tourist bodies.
The Australian department of foreign affairs and trade has warned citizens of bomb attacks aimed at police and military targets saying “Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others”.
Janice Gault, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: “Until that dissident threat is contained it is of concern, however, these things have got to be put in perspective.
“There are other countries in the world where terrorism is very much higher profile and much more prevalent. We are not really in that position.”
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said she would write to the Australian ambassador in Dublin, Bruce Davis, and the country’s high commissioner in London, John Dauth, to invite them to Northern Ireland.
“The decision by the Australian government to warn its citizens about visiting Northern Ireland seems to be somewhat of an over-reaction,” she said.
“It is the stated aim of dissident republicans to destabilise the peace and this type of advice plays right into their hands.”
Michael McCormick, marketing director at the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, said last year 50,000 Australians visited Northern Ireland compared to 40,000 in 2000.
He added that they were made up of backpackers spending up to two years in the UK and Ireland and older people with more disposable income staying for as little as a fortnight.
“The vast majority of Aussies and Kiwis are experienced travellers and because it is a big piece of expenditure they plan their trip for a couple of years or 18 months,” he said.
“They will keep an eye to see what is going on. If it moved to become a more serious level of warning then that could have an impact.”