David W Higgins: Ireland is already an expensive place to visit – a tourist tax could tip us into a ‘no-go zone’ for many

The Cliffs of Moher. Inward tourism has declined in recent times. Photo: Brian Arthur

David W Higgins

There are many stories of success in Irish tourism, but also those of failure. Galway Airport is one that comes to mind. At its peak the airport carried 300,000 passengers annually to and from 16 destinations.

Its short runway size limited its reach, but it still managed to serve destinations as far as Faro and Malaga. Its many routes to the UK complemented Knock and Shannon as a gateway to the west.