Claims US tourists being ‘ripped-off’

IN the week that Gabriel Byrne branded next year’s The Gathering a scam, Councillor James Breen also claimed that efforts are being made to rip-off American tourists by Irish hotels.

 

He told The Clare Champion that when a couple from America visited his home, they told him that on calling hotels they were quoted quite high prices. However, when relatives (with Irish accents) called the same hotels afterwards, significantly lower prices were offered.

“The Gathering is coming up and if this is the way that visitors are going to be treated, it’s not very good,” the former TD said.

He said that one of the hotels in question was located in Clare. “If we’re attracting people here, they have to have assurances that this won’t happen,” he added.

Some years ago, Councillor Breen proposed that Certificates of Irishness be produced for people of Irish descent, championing the idea of Quin’s Gerry O’Neill.

While the proposal has gone ahead, the sales have been disappointing. Councillor Breen said this was because of a decision to sell them abroad rather than in Ireland. “I envisaged people would buy them at the tourist office or in Shannon before going back, but giving them out in America is nonsense.”

Gabriel Byrne’s views on The Gathering created something of a storm but the initiative has been defended by Clare TD Pat Breen. “I was very disappointed and annoyed to hear Gabriel Byrne describe The Gathering 2013 as a scam and I was astonished to hear him describe the Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s speech in launching the initiative as offensive.

“His comments are in stark contrast to the feedback I receive daily. As chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have occasion to meet and discuss issues of concern with our Irish communities abroad and particularly in the United States, where I have found that there is a renewed sense of optimism and hope about the future of Ireland.”

He said it would give a boost to local tourism operators. “The Gathering presents an unprecedented opportunity for Clare tourism to showcase the very best of what the county has to offer. Communities and families across Clare have already embraced the initiative, with plans for numerous events next year well advanced.”