/sites/default/files/upload/eojd_presentation_to_employers_attending_online_event_eures_event_spain.pdfHOTELIERS CONCERNED AT FURTHER REDUCTION OF OVERSEAS VISITORS

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today expressed its serious concern at the further 2% reduction in overseas visitor numbers coming to Ireland during the peak summer season. Furthermore, a six per cent annual reduction of British visitors has been reflected in disappointing occupancy levels in hotels and guesthouses outside Dublin in the last quarter.

Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, IHF states, “Occupancy rates have been significantly stronger in Dublin but lagging particularly in the West, Midlands, and Southeast. On the ground, it is very much a case of a two-speed recovery with disappointing visitor numbers in many regions right up to include the summer season this year.”

“The further reduction in visitors from both Britain and the US, our core markets, is becoming increasingly worrying.”

Mr Fenn states that continued funding for Tourism Ireland at current levels is essential to avoid any further declines taking hold and jeopardising the important work done to date to secure growth and job creation in the tourism sector.

With 180,000 people employed in tourism, the industry supports one in every 10 jobs in Ireland - of which 54,000 are employed in the hotels and guesthouse sector across every village, town and city.