Madam, – On reading about the downturn in the Irish tourism industry, (Home News, December 29th), I am surprised you are not looking at the real problem. I agree that the cost of staying and eating out in Ireland is far more expensive than in any other country in the EU. The standard of accommodation and quality of food in some places has fallen noticeably in the last 10 years.
I live in France and used to visit Ireland four to six times each year, for the Irish way of life and what you call the “craic”. You must be aware that this is the reason most tourists came to Ireland.
I was in Killarney in December and, to my amazement, was served by many non-Irish who did not even know what the “craic” is. Most fellow Frenchmen I have spoken to do not go to Ireland for the weather or the history, but for Ireland’s biggest asset: the Irish and their humour and their way of life.
No doubt Ireland has beautiful scenery, but when it’s raining or misty, this cannot be seen. It is therefore nice to fall back on what used to be a good old sing-song in an Irish pub or hotel.
The greed of the Celtic Tiger seems to have destroyed the fundamental Irish way of life which was once the envy of the world.
I note that tourism on Inis Meáin and Inis Mór has not declined, but has risen considerably. This is down to maintaining the Irish way.
The Irish Tourist Board is going to have to consider this fact when it tries to encourage tourism back to Ireland. Yours, etc, –
JJ GRIMBERT,
Mortiers,
Poitou-Charentes, France.