THE Coronavirus is already impacting on tourism in Co Donegal with the cancellation of some bookings from mainland Europe, according to the manager of one of the county’s main hotels.
Michael Naughton, general manager of the Clanree hotel in Letterkenny, said there was growing fear that the crucial St Patrick’s Day and Easter tourism period could be decimated by the spread of the virus.
Mr Naughton said tourism managers in Donegal were becoming more reliant on the Irish market as the virus continued its spread through Europe. He told Highland Radio in Letterkenny that hotels were already reporting the cancellation of some bookings from Italy and Germany.
“Last week, Holiday Ireland cancelled a number of tours. No later than Tuesday, Globus which would bring tours in from North America, all over America, they’re getting cancellations," he said.
The Donegal tourism manager said cancellations had a “knock-on” effect on tourism in Donegal. Mr Naughton said St Patrick’s Day and Easter were the start of the tourism season for Donegal hotels following the traditionally quiet months of January and February.
“If our Easter is affected, it puts hotels and restaurants on a back foot and it could leave a lot of them vulnerable for the year ahead. The next four weeks are vital,” he said.
Mr Naughton said there were also fears that a major tourism fair due to take place in Dublin could be cancelled. He said the fair, which draws operators from all over the world, could affect the tourism market for the next two years.
