NI Anger Over Aussie Travel Advice

Politicians and tourism chiefs described the new advice as an over-reaction, and are planning to raise the matter with the Australian ambassador to Ireland.

The advice from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says travellers should avoid all protests and demonstrations "as they may turn violent".

It points out that sectarian violence and dissident activity have escalated over during 2009 and 2010, with three bomb attacks in August 2010 aimed at police and military targets.

"Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others," it says, recommending that tourist stay away from annual loyalist parades, which "may turn violent with little warning"

Margaret Ritchie, the nationalist SDLP MP for south Down, said the advice was an overreaction and she wrote to the Australian ambassadors in both London and Dublin inviting them to visit Northern Ireland.

"It is the stated aim of dissident republicans to destabilise the peace and this type of advice plays right into their hands," she said.

Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, said he also planned the raise the issue with the ambassadors.

"It does not reflect a lot of the hard work done on the ground to improve the perception of Northern Ireland as a tourism destination," he said.

He pointed out that the overall threat level had not changed, and was the same as the US, France and Germany.

"Australia is a very important destination for us as they tend to stay longer and travel more to Northern Ireland than many other nationalities; it is important that we keep the foot on the pedal," he added

Janice Gault, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said, "Until that dissident threat is contained it is over concern. However, these things have to be put in perspective."

"There are other countries in the world where terrorism is very much higher profile and much more prevalent. We are not really in that position"