{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/619faf1af8d4dc0013bca20f/67ed38b09524713132af1652?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"What is behind Ireland’s tourism slowdown?","description":"<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>This continued a trend dating back to last September.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>In addition, he has had to absorb significant increases in their running costs.</p><p><br></p><p>Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>","author_name":"Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock"}