FERRY companies operating from Wales have slashed their fares in a bid to woo nervous fliers. Many would-be travellers are still reluctant to fly or travel to long-haul destinations after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11 and the ferry companies are hoping to persuade them to take the short distance across the Irish Sea instead. Stena Line and Irish Ferries have both cut fares this month to customers wanting to go to Ireland before Christmas. Irish Ferries, which operates from Holyhead and Pembroke Dock, is offering travellers the chance to take their car free of charge and Stena Line, which operates from Holyhead and Fishguard, has cut fares by up to 40pc. A spokesman for Stena Line said it was hoping to attract customers who would normally not normally not consider Ireland for a short break. "People who are reluctant to travel long-haul after the attacks on September 11 are now seeking breaks closer to home," he said. "Following foot-and-mouth earlier this year the countryside and coastal paths of Ireland are now fully open and the Irish are extending their customary warm welcome to visitors." A spokesman for Irish Ferries said people liked to get away at the end of the year. "Ireland is a comfortable, easy-to-reach destination, with Dublin becoming particularly attractive for shopping," he said. The fare cuts are the latest round in the increasingly competitive battle to win passengers across the Irish Sea. As well as competing with each other, the ferry companies, which lost a huge source of operating revenue with the abolition of duty-free concessions, are also competing with low-cost airlines. To attract visitors in this traditionally quiet time of year before Christmas they are emphasising the cheaper petrol to be found in Ireland and the strength of the pound over the soon-to-be-extinguished Irish punt. A spokesman for Association of British Travel Agents said there was still a decline in holiday bookings after September 11. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks bookings fell by 30pc, and although there was a slight recovery in October they are still about 25pc down on this time last year. | 
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