Hoteliers make plea for 'vital' road link
The completion of a major road link to the West of Ireland is vital to support tourism, it was claimed today.
The Galway Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) called for immediate financial commitment from the Government for works on the N18 connecting Galway with Shannon and Limerick and the N6 Galway City Outer Bypass (GCOB).
Construction of both infrastructural projects are due to start this year.
The IHF, along with leading businesses in the Galway region, stress the delivery of these schemes on schedule are fundamental to secure the future economic development the region.
John Bourke, Chairman, IHF Galway Branch, said the West of Ireland attracted over 2.5 million domestic and overseas visitors in 2005, a decrease of almost 1% on 2004.
“Despite the growth in visitor numbers to Ireland in recent years, regional tourism has yet to reach its potential,” he said.
“There are a number of factors contributing to this, largely the lack of adequate infrastructure to transport visitors from other urban centres around the country to the West of Ireland.
“Immediate and unequivocal commitment by Government is now required to reduce any uncertainties relating to these projects which are paramount to the future development of Galway and Western Regional Tourism, and indeed business and economic growth in the West.”
