A Drumshanbo tourist operator says the Covid pandemic and enforced 'staycations' is having a positive impact on the sector.
Pascal Gillard who operates a bakery, tearooms and holiday cottages on the outskirts of the town with his wife, was commenting on its inclusion in the Top 20 list of Best Places to Holiday in Ireland published in the Irish Times at the weekend.
He says people came to the town during the last couple of years who would never have visited before, and who loved what was on offer.
Pascal says the repeat business is playing a significant role in visitors to the town.
Lockdown had its pluses, and we had huge repeat business from people that stayed with us that would never had come to Drumshanbo prior to lockdown.
I mean this week alone a family have taken 7 of the cottages, they're from Meath, they loved it, last year it rained every day they were here and they had a mighty time, so they're getting a great experience this year and they're seeing both sides of it, but they said it doesn't matter because you have everything.
You have the amenities area here beside us, the tennis courts, outdoor heated swimming pool, y'know , they love it here.
