News
Hoteliers report strong start to 2017
K
KILLARNEY and Kerry hoteliers were well represented at a major conference this morning which reported a good start to the year.
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) carried out the survey in advance of its 79th annual conference in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny. Most say business levels are up compared to this time last year and they are also seeing an increase in advance bookings for the year.
However, while hoteliers nationally have a positive outlook for their business in 2017, on the back of a record year for tourism in 2016, their optimism is tinged with caution. Half (50%) of the hoteliers surveyed say that the fall in sterling has already had a direct effect on their business.
Nationally, almost three-quarters (74%) of hoteliers are seeing an even better start to this year than last. The strong growth in business levels from the US looks set to continue in 2017 with almost half of hotels and guesthouses (48%) reporting an increase from this important market. Visitor numbers from German and French markets are proving buoyant too. One third (35%) of premises are reporting an increase in German visitors so far this year and nearly one in five (18%) are benefiting from increased business from France. Hoteliers are also upbeat for the remainder of the year, as advance bookings from these markets at this point seem robust. Forty-four per cent are reporting an increase in bookings from the US while three in ten (30%) are seeing a rise in bookings from Germany and one in six (17%) say bookings are up from France.
Domestic tourism is also proving positive, which is particularly important for those regions outside the main cities and tourism hot spots that have not benefitted significantly from the recovery in overseas tourism in recent years. Already this year two thirds (66%) of hotels and guesthouses are reporting an increase in business levels from home grown visitors with most also seeing a rise in advance bookings too.
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