More Irish staying at home even if they think Ireland is too dear.

FRANCES O'ROURKE/ Irish Times Sat, Jul 17, 2010 TRAVEL SURVEY: OVER HALF of Irish holidaymakers intend to have their main holiday in Ireland this year, even though 63 per cent of them believe that Ireland is too expensive, according to a survey by travel and leisure website Ireland.com. Economic conditions are cited as the main reason for staying at home by 54 per cent of 1,500 people questioned in the survey – but only 12 per cent of them believe that Ireland offers value for money. Galway, Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Wexford and Dublin are the most popular destinations this year for those holidaying in Ireland. Hotels top the list of accommodation, with over 43 per cent choosing this option. Twenty-seven per cent chose self-catering and 12 per cent BBs. The majority of respondents said that they would book their holiday directly by phone or internet, with almost one in four booking their own holiday. Just 2 per cent used a travel agent. Twenty-eight per cent of those choosing to holiday overseas are doing so because of the Irish weather while 21 per cent travel abroad due to the high cost of holidaying in Ireland.