THE resumption of the IRA bombing campaign in London earlier this year has caused some damage to the tourism business in, Northern Ireland.

Figures published by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board show that enquiries during the first four months of the year were down by 40,000 compared with the same period in 1995, a fall of 27 per cent.

The figures are being seen as the first tangible evidence that the ending of the IRA ceasefire is having an impact on visitor numbers.

In all, there were 109,000 enquiries, still ahead of 1994, but well down on last year's figure and many fewer than had been expected.

The figures have come as a disappointment to the tourism industry and to investors who are funding many of the new hotels being built across Northern Ireland.

More worryingly, the most noticeable fall off in interest is from Northern Ireland's most important markets the Republic and Britain.

Falls were also recorded in the number of enquiries from the United States and Canada. As a result, industry estimates for tourism spending this year are being lowered by around £5 million.

Meanwhile, one of Northern Ireland's top businessmen has been appointed as the new chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Mr Roy Bailie, chairman and managing director of the Antrim printing company,

W & G Baird, takes over from the current chairman, Lord Rathcavan, at the end of June.

Mr Bailie, who said that he was flattered by his appointment, is a former chairman of the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland.

As a member of the IBEC/CBI steering committee, he has been a long time advocate of closer trade links with the Republic.

He said he hoped that he would be listening to as many people as possible in the industry, but he said that Lord, Rathcavan was still the chairman.

"It is a little early for me to be talking about any plans I may have," he said.

Mr Bailie's appointment comes as a new report shows that many Northern Ireland hoteliers believe that the current uncertainty in the political situation in the region could have a serious effect on visitor numbers.

The Northern Ireland Hotel Confidence Survey for the first quarter of the year reveals that hoteliers believe the uncertainty over the future progress of the peace process, will lead to a lack of confidence in Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

They believe that the leisure industry in Britain, Ireland, and North America will be badly hit, as will conference business from Britain and Ireland.

Even so, the survey shows, that over 70 per cent of hoteliers remain optimistic.

Almost 80 per cent say revenue is up on the same period a year ago, mainly because of higher room rates. Around 85 per cent say rates have either remained the same, or increased by £5 a night.

In general, all sectors of the industry were reported to be performing as well as, or in some cases, better than during the last quarter of 1995.