Warning over Ulster marching season

Ulster tourism faces huge losses this summer if the scare over foot-and-mouth disease is compounded by angry scenes during the Orange Order's marching season, Roy Bailie, chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, warned last week.

Bailie estimated that without foot-and-mouth and TV scenes of unrest, Ulster could pull in an additional £500m a year from tourism.

But the effect of the forthcoming marching season on tourism was played down by David Morrison, general manager of the Killyhevlin hotel in Enniskillen.

"This year's marching can't be any better or worse for business than in previous years. The beginning of July when it peaks is always quiet, but the marching season has become a common feature and we have learned to live with it," he said.