Last week data from the CSO showed a decline of 30 per cent in the number of visitors to the country in February, with revenue taking a hit of €88 million during the month.

This continued a trend dating back to last September.

In this week’s episode of Inside Business, you’ll hear conflicting views from the trade on the current state of the tourism sector here.

Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, tells host Ciarán Hancock why he thinks the CSO figures might be overstating the current position within the sector.

Whereas Sean Connick, who operates the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience and the Kennedy Homestead in Co Wexford, is seeing a different picture with visitor numbers to those experiences declining last year with January and February also soft.

In addition, he has had to absorb significant increases in their running costs.

Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. 

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