Recent Trends in Global and Irish Tourism

2001 will long be remembered as one of the most difficult years for tourism in Ireland. The outbreak of Food and Mouth disease in the first half of the year was seen as a major blow to the industry, with many businesses suffering from the resultant restrictions on travel. These problems were further increased by the global effects of the economic slow-down in the USA. As the sector began to recover and was shaping up for a healthy Autumn, the terrorist attacks of September 11 devastated the industry globally, with knock–on effects which are only now beginning to be assessed. In light of these three impacts, this article examines the major global trends of tourism and focuses particularly on the world’s largest business in Ireland.