16th May 2006

IHF Chief Executive Warns Rail Action will Damage Regional Tourism

The Irish Hotels Federation today said it was extremely concerned by the potential impact of the train drivers’ unofficial industrial action on visitors to the regions and in particular overseas visitors. He stated that it was unacceptable that an unofficial dispute should be allowed undermine regional tourism.

Commenting John Power, Chief Executive the Irish Hotels Federation said “It is an extremely worrying development and one that has the potential to hold our members and their businesses to ransom. This action and its timing, at the start of the tourist season, is in our view short-sighted and very damaging to our industry. It could effectively undermine some of our members’ entire business this year with many visitors staying away from the regions because they have no choice.

This year has seen huge investment in marketing and cooperation among stakeholders in an effort to redress declining visitor numbers to the regions. Strong supports have been put in place to attract visitors to the regions. Ease of access to the regions is integral to that effort. It is essential that we have in place top class, reliable transport infrastructure to facilitate ease of movement to all regions of the country. The threat created by this sudden and unofficial action creates major uncertainty and discourages people from travelling. We believe appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms should be immediately activated to facilitate the immediate resumption of al rail services throughout the country”.

ENDS

For further Information contact:
Winifred McCourt/ Eoin Quinn
Weber Shandwick FCC
Tel: 01 6760168 / 087 2446004 / 087 2332191