Tourism body issues warning on Ryder Cup visitors

Any attempts to rip off visitors during the Ryder Cup will do long-term damage to the tourism industry, the chief executive of Tourism Ireland has warned.

Paul O'Toole, at a briefing on the outlook for the industry this year, said it was important "not to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory". The Ryder Cup, taking place at the K Club, Co Kildare, in September, is expected to generate €130 million and attract a worldwide television audience of up to one billion.

"It is a marvellous opportunity to showcase Ireland. But it is crucial we do not fleece the customer while they are here." He said hotels in the Dublin and Kildare areas would be charging rack rates, or top prices - about 25 to 28 per cent above average - during the event. "I would not be concerned about that," he said, but added that he would be if visitors were charged much above these rates.

"Let's have a great Ryder Cup and let's show Ireland off to its best advantage and leave customers going away with a good taste in their mouths."

Tourism Ireland, which markets Ireland overseas, aims to attract 8.5 million visitors this year, generating tourism revenue of €4.2 billion. It said it was still too early to judge how 2006 was going, particularly given the continuing trend towards late booking. Last year 8.1 million tourists visited the island and spent €3.9 billion. Though the trend was towards shorter visits, the daily spend of such visitors was higher, Mr O'Toole said.

One area showing significant growth, he said, was in holidaymakers from eastern Europe, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

"We have an advertising campaign now in eastern Europe and have opened an office in Warsaw," he said.

Last year - the first year when visitor numbers from these states were published - there were 125,000 holidaymakers from Poland and 61,000 from the Baltic countries. Mr O'Toole said he felt a large number of these were visiting friends or relatives, and said about one-third paid for accommodation during their visit.

Fáilte Ireland yesterday launched its Welcome Ireland awards, which invite visitors to nominate an organisation or individual that has made their stay particularly enjoyable. Nominations can be made at www.irishwelcomeawards.com