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Challenges “still remain” tourism conference hears

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Securing a long-term sustainable recovery in tourism is centre stage today (Tuesday) as hoteliers gather in Killarney for the Irish Hotels Federation’s (IHF) 85th Annual Conference.

Berndadette Randles (Randles Hotels Killarney) Denyse Campbell (President IHF) and Sinead McCarthy (The Brehon Hotel) pictured at the IHF conference in the Great Southern Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Kamile Lyne (Randles Hotels) and Breffni Ingerton (The Gleneagle Group) pictured at the IHF conference in the Great Southern Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Ivan Yates (Moderator) Berndadette Randles (Randles Hotels) Denyse Campbell (President IHF) Catherine Toolan (Managing Director Diageo Irish Brand Homes) and Sean O'Driscoll (iNua Hospitality Hotels) pictured at the IHF conference in the Great Southern Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Speaking at the opening of the ‘A Shared Vision’ themed conference, Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) President Denyse Campbell said that tourism has witnessed unprecedented upheavals over the past three years with a number of challenges still remaining.

“While we saw a welcome uplift in tourism activity during the last six months of 2022, significant uncertainty persists this year in relation to the global economy – particularly given the challenges we face around the cost of doing business, high levels of inflation, increasing interest rates and an ongoing cost-of-living crisis across key overseas markets,” Ms Campbell stated.

A particular concern for hoteliers and the wider tourism industry is the outlook for bookings from Great Britain given the very challenging economic environment this market is facing. Traditionally Ireland’s largest source of overseas visitors, Great Britain continues to face very significant economic headwinds, and this is having an impact on the outlook and levels of forward bookings. According to recent industry research carried out by the IHF, 60% of hoteliers report that forward bookings from Great Britain are still down on pre-COVID levels. The rest of Europe is also challenging while the prospects for North America are brighter this year.

Despite lingering economic uncertainty, hoteliers remain focused on recovery and building on progress made in the second half of 2022 with 54% of hotels and guesthouses planning to increase employment levels this year.

“At the heart of every successful hotel and guesthouse are its people, and supporting and developing them is key to our long-term success," Ms Campbell added.

"We are encouraging people of all ages to consider a career in the hotel sector. There are an enormous variety of career paths and training opportunities that are constantly evolving in our sector. It is an ideal time given the wide range of exciting options available for people at every stage of their working lives.”

Ms Campbell noted that, since the lifting of restrictions in 2022, the industry has achieved a remarkable restoration in employment with over 250,000 livelihoods now supported by tourism businesses throughout the country including 60,000 employed directly by Irish hotels and guesthouses.

Meanwhile 85% of hotels are planning to invest in refurbishment and additional capital expenditure over the coming year – making up for lost ground since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Ms Campbell noted that sustainability is a major focus for the sector with 67% of hotels planning to invest in sustainability initiatives this year while a further 25% are actively exploring options for potential investment in this area. Key priorities include renewable energy and heating, energy efficiency, retrofitting of buildings, waste reduction and water conservation.

“Needless to say, our industry has been through an exceptionally difficult period, but we are now beginning to see a cautious optimism for tourism as hotels look to invest in their businesses and product development this year with a particular emphasis on investing in our people, sustainability and business development.”

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Status Orange Weather Warning for Kerry

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September, A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while […]

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Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September,

A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while a Status Yellow warning for strong and gusty winds is in place from 7am on Wednesday to 12am on Thursday.

Possible impacts and disruptions include difficult travelling conditions, localised and coastal flooding, power outages, fallen trees and branches and poor visibility.

Kerry County Council is advising members of the public to prepare for severe weather on Wednesday and to ensure that items vulnerable to high winds are stored away. The Council is also advising motorists to travel with extreme caution on Wednesday and to expect surface water and spot flooding on all routes.

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World Rally Champion Phil Mills’ Killarney visit

Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month. The club is celebrating Prodrive’s […]

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Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month.

The club is celebrating Prodrive’s association with the Rally of the Lakes on October 14.

The legendary British motorsport preparation firm was responsible for building some of the most iconic associated with the local rally.

The celebration, which will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, will be hosted by the voice of Irish motorsport Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall.

Welshman Mills, who won the 2003 World Rally Championship, alongside Petter Solberg has confirmed his attendance at the Killarney Racecourse-based event.

He is just one of many superstars attending the showcase.
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“Accompanying the stars will be a collection of iconic Prodrive machinery, ranging from the BMW E30 M3, all the way through to the Subaru Group A and World Rally Cars the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Killarney and District Motor Club vice chairman and organiser Mike Shea.

“All proceeds of this event will go directly to the Jack & Jill foundation helping provide support and special care to children across the country and is a once in a lifetime event.”

This event is in association with: Lyons of Limerick; C.Wharton Tool Hire Ltd; BG Motors Ltd; Castleisland Tyre Centre; Aherns Motor Group; Reen’s Rathmore Peugeot; KC Print and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales

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