Connect with us

News

Killarney tourism generates €410m per year and supports 3,100 jobs, report finds

Published

on

K

Killarney’s contribution to the tourism industry nationally has been confirmed in a report launched today by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin that reveals an overall economic impact of €410 million generated locally by holiday makers.

The Killarney Tourism Economic Impact Review (TEIR 1) report, compiled by strategic research consultants W2 Consulting, revealed that the tourism industry supports 3,122 jobs locally and brings 1.1 million annual visitors to the town.

Launched at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel on the outskirts of Killarney, the report predicts growth of 30% for tourism in Killarney between now and 2025.  But to achieve this, two issues must be dealt with: ‘regionality’ and seasonality.

The review, commissioned by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, involved an examination of the economic contribution of tourism, attitudes of visitors to the town and areas for consideration to promote further tourism growth. The timeframe for the tourism industry research was August to October 2017, with all data supplied based on 2016 performance indicators.

The report found that Killarney is delivering for tourists, with 41% of visitors stating it had exceeded expectations and 57% that it had met expectations.  The town also scored strongly in terms of value for money, with 77% rating Killarney either ‘very good’ or ‘good’ value compared to 61% for Ireland.

The average room rate for Killarney was €113 compared to €139 nationally. Its monthly average room rate peaked in August at €126, compared to €117 nationally – one of only two months of the year when the town had a rate higher than the national average. However, Killarney’s rate was still lower than Dublin’s rate (€139) during August.

It also reveals that North American market remains the most lucrative for the Irish tourism industry, with the US/Canadian guest spending 80% more per day than domestic tourists. North American visitors have an average daily spend of €191.50 – 30% more than UK tourists and more than double that of Mainland European visitors.

However, two key challenges stand out for the town – regionality and seasonality.  The former emerged in results on occupancy rates, with the annual average for Killarney at 64% and 74% nationally.  Killarney has, however, twice the national average of beds per head of population.

Nonetheless, seasonality remains an issue for the tourism sector in Killarney, with an average occupancy of just 20% in December – its weakest performing month – compared to 48% in the (south west) region, 71% in Dublin and 60% nationally at that time.

Another issue is the low level of business tourism, with only 7% of visitors coming to Killarney for business, in keeping with Co.Kerry’s ranking as the lowest of all Wild Atlantic Way counties for IDA jobs per capita and less than half the national average.

Commenting on the results, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce president Paul O'Neill said: “This report has been enlightening. It has quantified just how important tourism is for us and the figures are hugely impressive. We most definitely have the capacity, with in excess of 10,000 beds in the town; we have a unique product in terms of what we offer in the town itself and immediate hinterland but also what we offer as a gateway to both the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula.  And according to this report, visitors are having their expectations more than met.

“The report does, however, raise some issues, particularly with regard to our regional location and seasonality. While these are challenges we must address, we believe that with the right approach and investment we can turn them into an opportunity. This is also very much recognised in the Fáilte Ireland strategy to address regionality and seasonality and the County Kerry Tourism Strategy & Action Plan 2016-2022 objectives.”

Among the key recommendations outlined in the TEIR 1 report are:

  • A national and international ‘Killarney’ digital marketing campaign
  • Supporting direct international access to the west coast
  • Investment in road network to Kerry, particularly the Macroom and Adare by-passes, and broadband in Kerry
  • Preparing for the Brexit challenge by building on Killarney’s strong appeal within the North American and Mainland European markets
  • Enhancing the product mix in the town, including indoor attractions, to build its capacity to attract and retain visitors
  • Investing in key products or segments that will address the seasonality challenges faced by Killarney and the wider Kerry area, including completion of Gap of Dunloe Greenway, Fossa Way and Lough Leane Loop Walk

Conor Hennigan, Development Manager, Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism said: “Tourism is hugely important to Killarney, as this report illustrates, but there are indicators within the report that confirm the economic imbalance on this island. The fact that Dublin is the destination most frequently visited by tourists after their time in Killarney suggests that not enough of our visitors are spending time elsewhere in Co Kerry or on the Wild Atlantic Way. The report also raises concerns about the low percentage of beds being booked for business reasons, mirroring the fact that Kerry has the second lowest number of IDA jobs on the Wild Atlantic Way.  There’s clearly a perception that all is well in Kerry because of tourism but this report indicates that while we have an amazing product that is delivering on tourists’ expectations, there are areas we need to address.”

Advertisement

News

Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

Published

on

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

Continue Reading

News

Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

Published

on

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport