AS THE clean-up operation continued in Derry yesterday after several hours of sustained violence, four busloads of tourists from North America and Australia arrived in the city.
Mr Michael Mulcahy, tour director with CIE, who is accompanying 49 Americans on a two-week tour of the Irish coastline, said he feared that Derry's image as a tourist attraction had taken a battering.
"My clients were very surprised initially that the images they had watched on television were repeated for them as we walked around the city centre.
"What happened will have a negative impact as it is flashed on screens around the world. It is too early yet to assess the impact it will have for us. We will continue to promote the North as best we can," he said.
Mr George Herriman (82), from Pharr, Texas, said he couldn't understand the violence. "What I see, I don't like it. It is something that after all these years should he straightened out. Still, the people are very friendly and my impressions are good ones.
Mr John Powell (SO), from Pittsburgh, said the Northern coastline was the most beautiful part of Ireland he had visited.
"The contrast of the beautiful scenery and the ugliness of the destruction is very sad. There is a tremendous resolve in the people who are in conflict and they probably have a justification in what they are doing."
Mr Jerry Hollihan (67), also from Pittsburgh, said he wouldn't hesitate to come back to Derry. "I guess the people on both sides are trying to make a statement, but if they came together to resolve the situation maybe they could have the parades."
Ms Elizabeth Malarkey (55), from Baltimore, Maryland, said the events in Derry frightened and depressed her.
"I never saw anything like this before. The destruction on the streets is terrible. Still, I am very impressed with the people," she said.
Lauren Milazzo (16) said she would never come back to Northern Ireland.
"Seeing all the destruction as I walked through the city was very depressing. It is upsetting to see that there can be so much hate in a country that is so beautiful.
"The impression I will take back home is that the city is beautiful but the hate is disgusting.
"I would come back again to Ireland but not to this part."
Ms Barbara Mullan (59), from Philadelphia, said she was upset to see so many children involved in violence. "I think that jobs should be created for them so that they wouldn't have to do this destruction."