WITH most local accommodation providers filled to capacity over the recent bank holiday weekend, and an influx of southern cars noticeable around the county, it appears the strong Euro is giving the local economy a welcome boost. 

While this time last year businesses and tourism providers were struggling due to a strong Sterling rate, the weakened the Pound appears to be bringing southern trade back to the county. 

John Treacy, manager of Fermanagh Enterprise which promotes the establishment and development of small businesses, said their clients were doing well at the moment, with the agency business units almost at full capacity. 

“The Euro really does seem to be having an impact at the minute,” he said. “The southern shoppers are coming back. Changes in the exchange rate do see to have an influence. It’s good to see it.” 

However, it’s not all down to just exchange rates with other factors also contributing to the return of the southerners, according to some. 

Business man Declan Devlin, who runs Pizza Hut in Enniskillen, agreed that the Euro rate was boosting business but added an apparent upturn in the southern economy was also having a positive impact. 

“We’re definitely been getting a lot more southern trade over the past six weeks or so,” he said. “It’s not just the exchange rate. I was down in Dublin a few weeks ago and it was buzzing. There seems to be a lot more confidence in the south again. The feel good factor seems to be back.”

Terry McCartney, manager of the Belmore Court Hotel and Motel which was booked out over the bank holiday weekend, said while the strength of the Pound was making Fermanagh more attractive at the minute, specialist events in Fermanagh were also a big draw for visitors. 

“We had a great Scottish dance competition on in the local area over that weekend,” he explained. They organisers are very happy with the area. This was their second year here and have said they will be back will be back again.

“We also had the comic festival at the weekend. That’s what we need, more people with more ideas and more events.” 

Catherine Keaney from the Share Discovery Village said they too had been seeing an influx not just of southern visitors, but international tourists from Europe and beyond. She explained that while the Euro rate was certainly helping, the outdoor adventure centre had been working hard since last year to attract people from across the border. 

“We’re definitely getting more visitors now, especially from across the border in places like Cavan, and we’re also getting visitors from all over the world,” said Ms Keaney, who added they also had a number of international volunteers and had and international programme for children each year. 

“Last summer was tough, but we have done a lot of work in attracting people from border areas. It does seem to have made a big difference.”