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15,700 jobs Kerry tourism jobs at risk
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Hoteliers call for government support to help them survive
15,700 jobs Kerry Jobs at risk
Hotel and guesthouse owners in Kerry and across the country are calling on the Government to introduce measures that will tackle the catastrophic crisis facing many businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Welcoming the positive trend in cases this week, Ms Bernadette Randles, Chair of the Kerry branch of the IHF, acknowledged the great progress being made by the Government, the Chief Medical Officer, health professionals and society in general in suppressing the disease.
She said that it was now time to address the need for people to have livelihoods after the pandemic.
Ms Randles called on the Government to urgently seek assistance from the proposed EU Recovery Fund being set up to combat the economic slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which is forecast to be the worst in a century throughout Europe. She said a package of specific supports is required that recognises the unique challenges facing Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.
“The June Bank Holiday traditionally marks the start of the holiday season, yet thousands of tourism businesses across the country remain closed due to the pandemic, including 90% of hotels, and the majority of the industry’s 260,000 employees are laid off. 70 per cent of tourism jobs are based outside Dublin, which highlights its vital role in spreading employment opportunities and prosperity across the entire country. Here in Kerry tourism supported 15,700 jobs and generated €592m in local revenues before this crisis. Further delays in providing support measures could have devastating implications, particularly for rural Ireland, that may take decades to recover” she said.
“While the various business and employment supports that have been introduced already are very welcome, they do not go far enough. Some industries, like tourism, have been far more severely affected and face a more challenging road to recovery and this is not being adequately recognised. Tourism proved itself to be a powerful engine for economic growth following the last recession, creating some 90,000 new jobs. With the right supports now, it can be again but time is of the essence.”
Wallace Arnold coach drivers return to Killarney
A group of 26 former coach drivers, wives, and friends from the Wallace Arnold tour company returned to Killarney over a recent weekend.
The group travelled from Holyhead to Dublin in a restored Wallace Arnold coach, staying at the Killarney Towers Hotel for three nights.
During the visit, the group drove the vintage coach to local landmarks, including Kate Kearney’s Cottage and Muckross House, before returning to town ahead of the Kerry versus Donegal match. The itinerary also included a trip around the Ring of Kerry.
The trip allowed the former drivers to reconnect and reminisce about their years touring Ireland. Organiser Bob Adams said that the vintage coach drew attention from local residents along the route.
The group noted the absence of several former colleagues who could not travel due to health reasons, including veteran driver Hilton Caldwell who is well known in Killarney.
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