News
Challenges “still remain” tourism conference hears

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

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
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.”
News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
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