Local tourism and hospitality struggle predicted amidst refugee arrivals

Warnings are being issued that the local tourism and hospitality sector cannot continue to lose beds asylum seekers and refugees.The comments from Leitrim Councillor, Felim Gurn, come as a new report from Failte Ireland claims that 'displaced bed stock' could be costing tourism as much as a billion euro.The number of tourist beds locally being used to accommodate refugees varies from 14 per cent in Sligo to 17 per cent in Leitrim.The figure in Donegal stands at 15 per cent.The report claims that although the number of beds under contract to the government is down since the summer, the impact on the tourism sector 'cannot be understated'.Independent Councillor Gurn says there are many challenges facing the hospitality and tourism sector at present.He fears that without these beds many hospitality businesses could go the wall.