American tourists who travelled here with the bankrupt tour operator, Far and Wide, will face as little disruption as possible, Tourism Ireland said yesterday, writes Kitty Holland
An estimated 120 people from the United States who booked their trips through the Miami-based company feared they were stranded when Far and Wide filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday.
Far and Wide represented about 12,000 tourists here per year, and the collapse is thought likely to have a significant impact on the the industry here.
the company said it was "ultimately the casualty of the unprecedented calamity that has victimised the travel industry in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, including the long build-up to an actual war with Iraq."
It also cited Sars, economic slowdown and "related troubles that have drastically reduced international leisure travel".
Mr John Power, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said about 70 hotels were affected by the closure, and these would incur combined losses of about €3.5 million. These losses resulted mainly from bookings taken up during the summer that had not yet been paid for, he said.
"It is a huge loss, a really heavy hit. But we see it as an investment in Ireland's reputation to make sure these people's holidays go ahead with as little disruption as possible," Mr Power said.
"There are many countries where these people would be dumped by the side of the road if this happened. We are working to minimise the trauma as much as possible."
A spokeswoman said that for those who had booked a holiday in Ireland through Far and Wide, but who had not yet arrived here, Tourism Ireland was "putting arrangements in place whereby they will be offered alternative arrangements so they can continue with their plans with little or no disruption".
The organisation is also putting an advisory service in place for Irish creditors on how to pursue outstanding debts with Far and Wide.