The impact of the predicted €1.1 billion shortfall in tourist revenue this year will likely be felt up and down the country.
In Westport, Co Mayo, a drop in the number of beds available in hotels and B&Bs is likely to impact on the spending in cafés, pubs and countless other businesses.
Mayo County Council has said 800 Ukrainian refugees are being housed in the town, with a sizeable proportion being put up in locations previously used exclusively for short-term visitor stays.
Westport has developed a bustling tourism sector over several decades and still has a considerable number of hotels serving the domestic and international markets. But there is no denying the altered situation for the 2023 season.
Paul Donnelly runs Paddy and Nelly Bike Hire and he had concerns about the cumulative impact the changed dynamic will have.
He reckons that between 1,500 and 2,000 bed nights per week was a conservative estimate of the likely drop in tourist numbers.
Mr Donnelly said this will have a massive implication for the local economy and he felt that the situation will continue for a number of years.
"Already groups are finding it extremely difficult to book accommodation. For any of the outdoor activity people, that's a serious concern.
"Those refugees are here to stay possibly for another two to three years, they don’t want to be stuck in a hotel bedroom but the reality is they have nowhere to go ... so I think we’re looking at a situation for another two to three years … we're not looking at a good season this year because the spend won’t be there and there’s no reason to believe it will be there next year either."
On that basis, he wondered "what’s the incentive for people to stay in tourism?"
Mr Donnelly was pessimistic that day visits by domestic tourists might help bridge the gap: "There’s that many bed nights gone from the town, tot it up [elsewhere] and that’s where you get the €1 billion loss across the country.
"The smaller operators will be hardest hit" he says.
"The Government have created accommodation for people but, unfortunately, that’s probably now going to create unemployment."
