The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) is calling for wage subsidies and grants to support almost 100 businesses running more than 140 shops as well as protecting the inbound sector.
A delegation handed in a petition to Ireland’s parliament warning the industry had lost 95% of business since March.
The ITAA said inbound visitation amounted to 70% of tourism revenue.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between inbound and outbound travel, therefore opening up air travel would impact massively on the Irish tourism industry. There are currently 250,000 jobs at risk in the tourism sector, which is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry,” it said.
