Preliminary results from a Bord Failte survey of visitors for Ireland show high levels of dissatisfaction on the issue of value for money.
The Visitor Attitudes Survey 2002 shows that one third of those surveyed found that their Irish holiday surpassed expectations. Only 4% said that their holiday did not live up to expectations.
Half of all visitors were very satisfied with the value on offer, but almost one in ten were dissatisfied, with the highest levels of unhappiness recorded among those from mainland Europe.
The results of the survey show that Ireland is regarded as a high cost destination. 56% of visitors considered the cost of living in Ireland to be higher than expected. 16% regarded prices as unacceptably high. European visitors were most critical, but there were signs of increasing criticism among British and North American visitors.
People and scenery were mentioned as Ireland's main advantages, while the weather, poor roads and cost of living were the main disadvantages.
