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Tourism will survive smoke ban says report
by Jon Myles
EXPERTS have dismissed fears that Ireland’s proposed smoking ban in pubs, clubs and restaurants could hit tourism.
A report by Tourism Ireland predicts that the controversial ban — due to come into effect on January 1 — will have little impact on the country’s lucrative tourist trade.
And its says Ireland’s popularity may even be boosted among non-smokers as a result of the ban.
Tourism Ireland held interviews with tourism professionals in key markets as well as its own representatives around the world to draw-up the report.
It comes in the wake of a concerted campaign by the Irish hospitality industry to have the ban reversed or its measures watered down.
The Irish Hospitality Alliance has claimed that thousands of jobs could be lost as smokers desert the nation’s pubs and restaurants.
They also warned visitors could be put-off travelling to Ireland.
But Ireland’s Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said: “From soundings I have taken and research made available to me I do not believe there will be any negative impact on visitor numbers as a result of the smoking ban. I just don’t accept that.”
He also dismissed claims that businesses south of the border could lose out once the ban is introduced because of customers travelling to pubs in the North where they will be allowed to smoke while drinking.
“I certainly don’t believe that for the sake of a few drags of a cigarette a fellow will go to Newry rather than Dundalk,” he said.
The study by Tourism Ireland found the smoking ban would not be a major factor in picking Ireland as a place to go on holidays.
“In fact, some of our people identified positive benefits in some segments,” said the report. “The views of our overseas tour operators and trade are mirroring the views of Tourism Ireland market staff — that the clear majority conclude it will have little impact on holiday destination choice.”
A number of American tour operators said the ban would have positive implications as there has been demand from customers for non-smoking holidays.
Three of the five biggest tour operators in Britain also said the ban would have no impact on numbers.
Mr O’Donoghue — who quit smoking in 1996 — said: “It was the hardest thing.
To give up is the toughest battle of all because it is a battle with yourself — but I managed it.”
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