Irish Cross
Irish Cross
![]() |
Irish Tourism in 2011
Firstly Fáilte Ireland's report (an organization formed in 2003 to promote tourism in Ireland) showed the impact of the downturn in business.
The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) said that overseas visitor numbers declined by a further 16% in 2010 to 5.5 million. According to their report are 2.2 million fewer visitors than came to Ireland in the peak year of 2007 and a level last seen in 1998. The report also says "Ireland's largest source market Britain accounted for 1.3 million of those lost visitors."
Ireland needs to attract visitors in 2011 as so many businesses depend on tourists now that the general economy is not as healthy as it has been in recent years. What is most important is people feel they are made very welcome and have value for their money.
Because of the downturn in economies of a lot of countries, many visitors have less money to spend and probably won't be able to take those additional short break holidays this year.
Companies like Ryan Air and Aer Lingus are spending a great deal of money promoting Ireland in the media and attracting visitors to spend a long weekend in the country, highlighting events and places of interest.
What is now so important is that organizations like Fáilte Ireland, The ITIC and Discover Ireland actually tell business in Ireland how important tourism is and not to let the tourist feel they have been "ripped off" by extra charges. We have got used to "hidden charges" for credit cards, taxes on the airlines etc, however car hire companies is one area that has been adding on additional charges.
The Irish car rental business is usually the first place that a visitor arriving at an airport comes across "Irish hospitality" or lack of it! On three occasions In 2010, my wife rented a car when visiting Dublin from England and on the last two visits hired a car from a car rental company that also holds the franchise for a major European operator.
She was charged for taking the car across the M50 toll at a highly inflated price and had to contact eflow (the company that manages the toll) who confirmed the vehicle never crossed during the period of hire. Initially the car hire company said that she would have to cross the M50 toll when travelling from Dublin Airport to Drumcondra. We told them that the car never went near the toll only staying around the Drumcondra, Malahide and Howth areas. The car hire company then said it would have been later in the day after it was returned to their depot, however eflow confirmed that this did not occur.
Researching the issue on the web I have found that this is frequently occurring and presumably the car rental company does not think that anyone will question a small charge added to a credit card a few weeks after the customer has returned home.
On the second visit she was charged for car hire excess insurance. Although she declined it saying she had an annual policy the company still told her to sign in a couple of places and had to pay this unwanted €54 insurance that appeared on her credit card after returning home.( She has an annual policy bought via http://www.insurance4carrental.com that actually costs less than it did for five days ) The car rental company refused to refund it saying that she had signed for it, despite telling the receptionist she did not require the product.
Several Irish car rental companies also charge a fee for allowing the car to cross the border and collect a car from the airport. These unwelcoming "hidden additions" to the car hire process are not good for the tourist business at a time when the country needs tourism revenue.
The ITIC report says Ireland's largest market source is Britain. Coming to and from Ireland by car ferry has become very expensive.
The average time of a crossing is three and a half hours and there is not too much competition on the Irish Sea routes. The ferry companies charge per passenger, so for a family of four the cost mounts up. The only passengers who get a free crossing are dogs who remain in the car.
I have just booked a crossing for mid January with three passengers going to Dublin and two returning We are using the "club class" facility and the return fare is £317. I then decided to check out the price of a competitor on the same route, this was £382. This is in the off peak time of the year so what is going to be like in the middle of the summer when the country wants the tourists to visit?
Due to personal family circumstances we then had to postpone our return from Dublin by 24 hours and as I do not trust these car ferry companies 100%, I priced up a brand new booking and It had gone up quite lot, both ways.
I tried to change my booking on line and the system said it would cost another £40. I telephoned the ferry company and they told me the change would be £40. I said I had tried to do this on line, but the automated system was also increasing the price of the outgoing sailing that we were not changing. I was put on hold and a couple of minutes later was told it would be £15. Had I not questioned the company's representative I would have had to pay another £25.00. This is even worse than be charged for using the M50 toll bridge on a phantom journey by the Irish car rental company.
These companies are not doing the Irish travel business any favours.
By contrast I have received an email this week from one of the car ferry companies operating on the cross channel service out of Dover. They have an early booking offer of £29 each way for a car and up to five passengers. Testing their system for a booking for the same period as I would be using on the Irish route the price came out at £87. The crossing takes up to 1 hour 45 minutes.
There is a lot of competition about on and under the English Channel so it is no wonder so many people holiday in that direction every year.
The Irish Tourist authorities need to lobby the car ferry companies to cut their fares. Many of the car ferries on the Irish routes are half empty. They do carry a lot of freight traffic, however as the general economy has been declining then these levels will probably drop. If the companies cut the cost of travel, had more people on them spending money in the shops and on food and drink surely they would have a more successful business and there would be more tourists being able to afford to visit Ireland?
About the Author
Philip Suter is a Director of jml Property Services; a UK based company offering Insurance products on line at http://www.jml-insurance.co.uk and a holiday home advertising service at jmlvillas.com and management training within the UK with jml Training & Consultancy. He is a very experienced property consultant with over 30 years work in the Residential letting business in the UK and served on the National Council of ARLA. He is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and a Member of The association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
|
|
Irish Blessing Cross $18.99 A beautiful and delicate spring-like design. This Celtic cross will be a blessing in any room. 5 ??W x 9 ??H. Poly Resin. |
|
|
Irish Wall Cross $24.99 A lovely Celtic Cross with a meaningful family blessing. Perfect in any home d?cor.Resin. Can also hang Imported. 8 3/8 x 6 x ??. |
|
|
Irish Cross $10 Irish Cross |
|
|
Irish Bedtime Blessing Celtic Cross Plaque $21.99 A bedtime prayer that adults as well as children will be comforted by. Lovely soft colors and countryside design. Resin. 9 X 6 3/4 x 3/8 Imported. Boxed. |
|
|
Spiral Dangle Cross Bead $70 Spiral Dangle Cross Bead |
|
|
Celtic Cross Bead $66 Celtic Cross Bead |
|
|
Cross Stained Glass Magnet $7.99 Cross Stained Glass Magnet |
|
|
Sterling and Gold Cross Charm $17.99 Sterling and Gold Cross Charm |
|
|
Celtic Cross Buckle $34.99 Celtic Cross Buckle |
|
|
Irish Mosaic Garden Stone $29.99 Welcome friends and family to your garden with Cead Mile Failte - ?100,000 Welcomes?. The Celtic Cross has a beautiful green glass mosaic design. Resin. Can also hang. Imported. 8 x 11 ??. |
|
|
Men's Celtic Cross - Sterling Silver Necklace $99.99 A striking Irish tradition, this weighty cross is engraved on both sides. From Ireland. 1 1/4 X 1 X 1/4 on 22 chain. Boxed. 10 Kt and 14 Kt Gold Cross Necklaces ship separately; allow 3-4 weeks. Free shipping on Gold Cross Necklaces only. |
|
|
Men's Celtic Cross - 10 Kt. Gold Necklace $549 A striking Irish tradition, this weighty cross is engraved on both sides. From Ireland. 1 1/4 X 1 X 1/4 on 22 chain. Boxed. 10 Kt and 14 Kt Gold Cross Necklaces ship separately; allow 3-4 weeks. Free shipping on Gold Cross Necklaces only. |
|
|
Cross Clock $37.99 This beautiful understated d?cor piece has a vintage clock design with classic face. Green, red and gold colors with a subtle Celtic cross. One AA battery required (not included). 7 ? x 9 ??. Imported. |
|
|
Celtic Cross Fireman's Shirt $34.99 Wear your Irish pride with the Shamrock Nation Fire Department shirt. The shirt is decorated on the front, back, and left sleeve with an authentic fire fighter symbol. Printed in USA. 100% Pre-Shrunk Cotton. |
|
|
St. Bridget's Cross Necklace $7.99 This lovely interpretation of the original cross made of rushes, has an antique silver plating. Imported. 1 1/2 cross on 16 chain with 2 extender. |
|
|
Sterling Silver And Emerald Celtic Cross $84.99 A striking Celtic Cross in sterling silver and delicate interlaced shamrocks centered with an emerald. 1 1/2 cross on 18 chain. Ireland. |
|
|
Sterling Large Trinity Knot Cross $68.99 A delicate and open cross composed of three Trinity knots. 1 ?? cross on 18? chain. Ireland. |
|
|
Celtic Cross Wind Chime $37.99 This very attractive and bright sounding chime features a traditional Celtic tuning along with a stunning cloisonn? style Celtic Cross. Aluminum chimes, resin cross, length 17?. |
|
|
Men's Celtic Cross Necklace $10.99 Made of solid pewter, the 1 1/4 cross is richly embossed on both sides and hangs from a 24 chain. USA. |
|
|
Glendalough Celtic Cross $38.99 Hand cast in the village of Kinsale, Co. Cork, this cross is resin and ceramic with a shell of pure bronze. The cross is the most ancient and powerful of symbols. Gift box with story card, ready to hang. 3 ??W x 6?H. Ireland. |
|
|
Sterling Silver Celtic Cross $66.99 An accessory of enduring beauty. Crafted of heavy weight silver, this 1 1/2 x 3/4 cross is embossed with Celtic knots and suspended from a 20 chain. Ireland. |
|
|
Celtic Cross Necklace $10.99 A fresh and new design for this Celtic knot cross based on the Book of Kells. Crafted in nickel free silver plate the circle is 1? on 18? chain. Designed in Ireland. |
|
|
Book of Kells Cross $14.99 Inspired by illustrations from the ancient Book of Kells, this cross is embossed with a fascinating design in soft colors. Can hang indoors or outdoors. Imported. Resin and stone mix. 9 1/2 dia. x 1/2 thick. |
|
|
Embossed Celtic Cross Hoodie $39.99 An intricate Celtic cross lends a distinctive look to this hooded sweatshirt of soft, 50% cotton/50 % polyester. Embossed in USA. Sizes S (36), M (38), L (40), XL (42) x 2XL (44) |
|
|
Sterling Silver Triskel Cross Pendant $31.99 This ancient Celtic symbol of fused spirals is strikingly interpreted in a cross pendant. USA. Sterling silver. 1 1/2 |
|
|
First Communion Celtic Cross With Pearls $22.99 A stunning and elegant accessory to wear on this important day. ?? silver plated cross on a 16? pearl and metal chain. Boxed. Ireland |
|
|
U.S. Military Celtic Cross $17.99 This is a genuine U.S. Military Issue Celtic Cross which is worn by our troops worldwide. It is made in the USA of 100% stainless steel and comes on a 24 beaded dog tag chain. Size is 1 1/8 tall x 11/16 wide x 1/8 thick. Lifetime warranty. |
|
|
Journey Holding Green Cross $19.99 Designed to fit in the palm of your hand?a reassuring symbol of hope on all our life journeys. Embracing the cross we find its textured surface of peaks and valleys?those ups and downs in life that draw us to God. A reminder that hope is greater than despair. Beautifully boxed ready for gift giving as well as personal use. 4 ? x 2 ? x ??. |
|
|
Women's Two-Tone Celtic Claddagh Cross Necklace $74.99 With its intricate open weave and 10 kt. gold-plated claddagh, this sterling silver cross is an elegant tribute to faith and heritage. From Ireland. 1 3/4 x 1 cross on 18 chain. |
|
|
Children's Celtic Crosses - Gold Plated Cross $19.99 A heartfelt gift to commemorate a child's heritage and faith. Both from Ireland. Sterling Silver cross has the design on both sides. 7/8 on 18 chain. Gold plated cross, 1 on 18 chain. |
|
|
Green Crystal Celtic Cross Necklace $10.99 A delicate design inspired by Ireland?s famous Book of Kells. Crafted of shining nickel free silver plate and ?Diamante? green crystals. Designed in Ireland. Boxed. Cross ?? on 18? chain. |
|
|
Sterling Silver Castledermot Celtic Cross $39.99 An outstanding replica of the 9th century cross that stands in County Kildare. Covered with intertwining spirals it will make a true Celtic statement. 2 x 1 1/2 (chain no included.) USA. |
|
|
Embossed Celtic Cross T-Shirt $19.99 An intricately patterned, gray-on-black Celtic cross. 100% cotton. Embossed in USA. Sizes S (36), M (38), L (40), XL (42) 2XL (44) |
|
|
Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Celtic Cross Pendant With Diamonds $349 Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Celtic Cross Pendant With Diamonds |
|
|
Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Cross Pendant With Emerald And Diamonds $349 Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Cross Pendant With Emerald And Diamonds |
|
|
Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Cross Pendant With Trinity Knot And Diamonds $349 Women's 14 Kt Yellow Gold Cross Pendant With Trinity Knot And Diamonds |
|
|
Women's 14 Kt White Gold Cross Pendant with Trinity Knot and Diamonds $349 Women's 14 Kt White Gold Cross Pendant with Trinity Knot and Diamonds |
|
|
Celtic Cross God Bless Our Home Plaque $17.99 Topped with a sculpted Celtic cross, this plaque has the look of rustic stone. Imported. Resin. Boxed. 7 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 3/4. |
This entry was posted on Monday, November 6th, 2006 at 7:05 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.



US $1.61





























































































