Irish tourism officials expect to see a major slowdown in visitor numbers due to the effects of Brexit in 2017, reports the Ireland's Independent.
"Tourism Ireland predicted that the sector would show 1pc growth in visitor numbers across 2017 - a major slowdown given the remarkable expansion of 10pc in visitor numbers this year," writes Ralph Riegel.
Brexit, the strength of sterling against the euro and other economic concerns are all playing a factor in the slowdown of tourism growth.
Tourism officials will be looking to North America to boost numbers in the coming year.
"The best prospects for growth next year are across North America. We will see a growth of at least 10pc in seat numbers so that offers great prospects," Niall Gibbons, head of Tourism Ireland tells the Independent.
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One of the biggest factors affecting growth is that Ireland can no longer rely on huge tourism numbers from the U.K.
"In relation to Britain, we will have to see how it pans out. It is really going to be all about exchange rates," Gibbons said to the Independent. "We are focusing on 4.5pc growth in visitor spending."
While Ireland may have had its work cut out for it in previous years, this coming year poses more of a challenge.
Junior tourism minister Patrick O'Donovan noted that "the Government would need to work hard with tourism interests to tackle challenges going forward ranging from the Brexit fallout to hotel bed supply within the critical Dublin market."
For more on tourism to Ireland, read on here.
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