Hope That Clare Tourism Will Escape Worst Effects Of Hard Brexit

Photo (c) davidlee770924 from Pixabay via Canva

A North Clare hotelier feels tourism in this county may escape the worst of it, should Britain crash out of the EU.

That’s despite a report by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, which warns that the tourism sector in Ireland could take an almost €400 million hit in a no-deal scenario.

It comes as Britain has been given an extra six months to sort out Brexit, after a late night meeting of EU leaders.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

While last night saw Britain given a Halloween deadline for Brexit, there’s still little sign that MPs are close to agreeing a deal at Westminster.

Talks between the Tories and Labour continue, with mixed reports on their progress.

And while a No Deal scenario is off the table for now, the risk hasn’t been eliminated altogether, and the concerns remain as a result.

Today, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation is warning that €390 million could be wiped from Ireland’s tourism market in the event of a hard Brexit.

This is being put down to sterling devaluation, the hard border and possible aviation disruption.

Chief Executive of ITIC, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh says many jobs are also on the line.

While it’s a concerning time for tourism operators nationally, a Lahinch hotelier feels Clare may take less of a hit.

Michael Vaughan of Vaughan’s Lodge, who is a former President of the Irish Hotels Federation, says our reliance on US visitors may in fact go in our favour.

Meanwhile, Theresa May will face MPs today after last night’s EU summit.

While the Brexit deadline was postponed by six months, that deadline is flexible.

Britain could leave sooner, if a withdrawal deal is passed, and if it happens on time then the UK may avoid having to take part in EU Parliament elections next month.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says Britain’s future relations with Europe is in their own hands.