The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released figures for the second quarter showing Ireland's tourism industry has seen a spike in employment, resulting in the creation of 3,400 new jobs during the period.
Ireland's tourism sector accounts for one in nine jobs, represents 5% of the country's gross domestic product and has a value of €7.3 billion, reports businessworld.ie.
However, despite this latest positive news the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) has warned against external threats to the industry.
To help deal with the threats and to cope with the effects of Brexit, the ITIC has called on the government to retain competitiveness and to invest in the sector over concerns that the depreciation in value of the sterling will result in damage to Ireland's largest visitor market.
ITIC chief executive, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh said: "Tourism is a long-term sustainable source of jobs in Ireland. Tourism can’t be off-shored or out-sourced. It is here to stay and has the potential to provide jobs in all parts of the country. However, tourism capital investment by the state is very low and not appropriate for a sector that is so important to the economy," adding "Tourism marketing budgets have been cut year after year and are now €20 million below what they used to be, this will mean less visitor numbers in future years if not addressed immediately."
