Sir, - Like everyone else in the tourism industry I am dedicated to ensuring that foot-and-mouth disease is kept out of the Republic. And like everyone else in tourism I am greatly concerned about the long-term effect this crisis will have on industry. What causes me to write are reports from our travel agent friends, particularly in the US, who say the media are using sensational headlines which lead prospective American Tourists to believe they should not travel to Ireland - and worse, that the disease is one that affects humans in large numbers!
It is incumbent on both the Department of Tourism and Bord Failte to ensure that any press releases to our overseas neighbours, or indeed destined for any media source, are well worded so that prospective overseas visitors understand exactly what is happening here in the hope that they will not cancel future bookings or decide against holidaying in Ireland when our efforts to keep the country free of foot-and-mouth disease have been successful.
I also plead with Bord Failte to dedicate substantial amounts of money to branding Ireland as a destination when this crisis is over to help all of us in the industry recover from the consequences. - Yours, etc.,
Jacinta Stacey, Managing Director, Trident Holiday Homes, Irishtown Road, Dublin 4.