Kerry tourism depends on strong regional airports

It’s critical for the tourism industry in Kerry that overseas tourists are not funnelled through Dublin airport alone.

That’s according to the chair of the Kerry Tourism Federation, Pat O’Leary.

Mr O’Leary said tourists arriving in Ireland are limited by time and budget and if they only fly into Dublin Airport the west coast will lose out.

Yesterday Aer Lingus announced that it intends to permanently close its Shannon Airport base following months of Government travel bans.

But Mr O’Leary said airports like Shannon are critical for regional tourism.