An influential consumer magazine will today warn tourists against visiting Northern Ireland during the marching season.
Which? magazine's holiday publication issues a note of caution to visitors about contentious parades during the month of July.
In a section entitled 'Trouble-free travel', it states: "A wise precaution might be to avoid the marching season (July) when tensions rise."
The column also tells readers that the north's political problems have meant there are relatively few visitors and that "overcrowding at tourist attractions is rarely an issue".
"Clearly, it will take time to overcome the impression left by three decades of sectarian violence," it adds.
A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said the magazine's coverage was generally positive, but it accepted that it had to report the situation in July.
"Basically it gives a fair and balanced view of the situation here. Given that the article is aimed at the Great Britain market, I think they are erring on the side of caution," she said.
"They would not be doing their job if they didn't tell their readers about the situation here in July.
"They are entitled to express their opinion, and they are only doing their job."
The spokeswoman added that the magazine's four-page spread was "very positive" about Northern Ireland.
"They are not being hysterical about the issue, but they are simply highlighting it. Which? has given superb coverage of Northern Ireland and it is positive on the whole," she said.
However, Janice Gault, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation, warned that the comments may effect trade in the north.
"There are a number of major events in Northern Ireland during the month of July, such as the Milk Cup and the Rose Festival," she said.
"Inevitably, any comment that is detrimental to tourism is not welcome.
"There are a number of events that have flourished and we would like to see that they continue to remain that way in Northern Ireland."
A spokesman for the Orange Order also claimed that visitors from around the world enjoyed the July parades.
"Obviously we are disappointed that Holiday Which? should be saying this, in what is a flattering report on Northern Ireland," he said.
"People across the world, from places like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and last year even Ghana came to Northern Ireland during the parade season.
"But it is just one line in a report that some people may pay attention to and some won't.
"I hope people still will come during the parade season to see this part of Northern Ireland's culture. I would suggest that people visiting get a warm welcome in July."
