Two thirds of hoteliers across the Republic of Ireland expect business in 2006 to be well ahead of last year, according to the latest tourism industry survey carried out by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Development International and Webtourism.

The Tourism Barometer survey included more than 900 tourism enterprises across the republic and is intended to determine prospects until the end of September.

Overall, bed nights in hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts showed the highest increase in Dublin, with 75 per cent of respondents saying this year was ahead of 2005. Hostels also indicated an increase in the number of younger visitors this year.

However, more than a third of west Irish hospitality respondents – 37 per cent – believed that they were facing a poorer year in 2006 while only 31 per cent were expecting an increase in profits.

Only 14 per cent of bed and breakfast operators surveyed said they expected to perform better this year, with nearly half – 48 per cent – believing they would fare worse compared to the corresponding period in 2005.

More respondents in the guesthouse sector – 38 per cent – were also expecting to fare worse this year than those who expected an upturn – 30 per cent.

Elsewhere, a downturn in the self-catering sector was observed with only 16 per cent saying that business was ahead against 42 per cent who believed that bookings had decreased on 2005 figures. Details: www.webtourism.ie