News
Kerry Hoteliers upbeat for 2018
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Hotel and guesthouse owners in Kerry and across the country are reporting a good start to the year according to an industry survey undertaken by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) in advance of its 80th Annual Conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Co Cavan. Most are forecasting an increase in business levels for 2018 with advance bookings up from domestic and key overseas markets, helping to offset the drop in bookings from the UK, Ireland’s largest market, where visitor numbers continue to fall. The high cost of doing business, including insurance, continues to be a major concern.
Seven in ten (72%) hoteliers say their overall business levels are up compared to this time last year, with a similar number (68%) reporting an increase in advance bookings for the remainder of the year. Business levels from the US look set to remain strong with over half of hoteliers surveyed reporting an increase in business from this market. Visitor numbers are up too from continental Europe with almost a third (32%) reporting an increase in business from Germany and nearly a quarter (23%) seeing a rise from France. Closer to home the domestic market remains buoyant with almost seven in ten (67%) of hoteliers seeing an increase in home-grown business. However, in contrast, the UK market remains a significant concern with over half (56%) of hoteliers reporting a drop in business from Great Britain compared to this time last year and almost four in ten seeing a drop from Northern Ireland.
Patrick O’Donoghue, Chair, Kerry branch of the Irish Hotels Federation said that overall hoteliers are confident about the outlook for 2018, but not complacent. “The increase in business levels that we are seeing from key international markets and from within Ireland itself, following on from strong growth in recent years, gives us some confidence. However, the negative effect on visitor numbers from the weakened sterling and uncertainty over Brexit reminds us that we’re an island nation, dependent on the vagaries of other, larger economies, and there is never room for complacency,” he said. Tourism currently supports 11,900 jobs in Kerry and contributes some €508 million to the local economy annually.
“We operate in a price sensitive sector where we compete with the UK for overseas visitors. A sustained fall in sterling could have a negative effect on visitor numbers from other markets who may opt instead to go to the UK. Cost-competitiveness is critical. Government cannot influence the economic conditions affecting other countries but there is a wide policy range of measures within their control that can enhance competitiveness. The 9% VAT rate and zero travel tax, for example, have been hugely significant in underpinning the recovery of the tourism sector. However, more needs to be done to bring down the high costs that are stifling business in Ireland such as insurance, where the costs are now so high they are a significant concern for almost nine in ten hoteliers (88%),” he said.
Mr O’Donoghue added, “It is important that there is a continued commitment to enhancing and developing the experiences that we offer visitors - from at home and overseas. The hotel sector has an important role to play here and, as our member survey highlights, most hoteliers across the country are planning to invest in their properties this year – from expansion in some cases, to refurbishment, or investing in new technology to upgrade existing operational and guest services.
“But, it’s also about market diversification and reinvigorating our tourism brand, to create compelling offers that appeal to new markets while at the same time helping us to consolidate our market share in existing markets. More needs to be done, especially in regional tourism marketing. There are parts of the country like the Shannon Corridor, which have much to offer and with the right support they could expand Ireland’s tourism offering and greatly benefit the rural economy,” he added. According to the IHF survey, two thirds of hoteliers are already planning to increase their own marketing spend during 2018 in a bid to attract more visitors to their areas.
Killarney Racecourse to host first professional festive pantomime
A classic fairytale is set to receive a distinct Kerry makeover this festive season as Killarney Racecourse hosts the town’s first professional pantomime, Cinderella.
Running across 12 performances over four weekends in November and December, the production weaves iconic local landmarks directly into the story. In this festive adaptation, Cinderella dreams of escaping her chores inside Ross Castle before receiving news of a royal ball hosted at Muckross House. Her journey is guided by Molls, a fairy godmother arriving from beyond the Gap of Dunloe, while the adventure takes audiences straight through the enchanted woods of Killarney National Park.
Directed by Lily MacMonagle of The MACademy Performing Arts and choreographed by Katrina Galvin of Sparrow Dance Academy, the production features a cast of local talent bringing the story to life.
Speaking about the upcoming debut production, Karl McCay, General Manager of Killarney Racecourse, expressed his excitement for the launch.
“We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Christmas Show at Killarney Racecourse. Killarney already sets the standard for festive celebrations with its magical parades, Santa’s grotto, Christmas markets, and Killarney on Ice. We are delighted to build on this tradition with our debut production of Cinderella. Directed by Lily MacMonagle and featuring a wonderfully talented local cast, we can’t wait to welcome you to this exciting new holiday experience.”
Director Lily MacMonagle emphasised the broad appeal of the festive show for families across the region.
“We are so delighted to bring the first professional panto to Killarney for families to enjoy this Christmas. The team and cast involved are incredible, and we cannot wait to sprinkle Christmas panto magic all over Killarney and Kerry this year. The laughs are like no other – it’s made for your child and your granny, with a joke and a dance for everyone. On a personal note, it’s fantastic to offer a pre-Christmas show where families can come together and really get into the festive spirit.”
Tickets go on sale today (Friday, October 9), at 9am via the Killarney Racecourse website, priced at €17 for children, €20 for adults, and €66 for a family ticket.
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