Kerry hotel and guesthouse owners across the country are welcoming the increase in bookings following the Government’s recent announcement that hotels will reopen on June 2.

The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) shows booking levels nationally now average 31% for July and 27% for August – the key summer months.

This compares to levels of 23% and 21% respectively just ahead of the announcement.

As hotels and guesthouses across the country prepare to reopen, Bernadette Randles, Chair of the Kerry branch of the IHF, is calling on the Government to facilitate the return of vaccinated overseas travellers quickly to give a clear sign to overseas markets too that Ireland is open for business again.

“The increase in bookings in the past fortnight has been a welcome morale boost to our members and the thousands of people employed in Irish hotels," she said.

"The domestic market was a real positive last year and we know home holidays will be very important in supporting our sector again this year."

Ms Randles is calling on the Government to implement the EU COVID-19 Travel Certificate, expected to be approved by the EU next month, as quickly as possible. She is also calling for a firm commitment from Government on business and employment supports for the sector into 2022.

“Specifically, we are seeking for the EWSS to remain in place until the end of March 2022, an extension of the Local Authority Rates waiver until the end of March 2022 similar to what has been put in place in Scotland. We also ask that the COVID Restrictions Supports Scheme (CRSS), targeting businesses with a 75% drop in revenue, be doubled irrespective of the level of COVID restrictions and the €5,000 weekly cap to be removed, along with the doubling of reopening grants to reflect the scale of reopening costs after months of prolonged closure."

Ms Randles said hotels also require a clear commitment from Government to retain the tourism VAT rate. “The 9% VAT is a critical measure for international competitiveness and must be in place until 2025 to assist recovery and secure a viable and sustainable future for the industry,” she added.