The Irish Hotels Federation has enthusiastically greeted the creation of a new all island body to market the island of Ireland overseas, suggesting that it is a momentous development for Irish tourism. A significant milestone for the future of Irish tourism, Tourism Ireland Ltd., will play a constructive role in consolidating tourism interests north and south of the border through devising all Ireland marketing strategies to benefit both industries and economies.

The formation of this north/south tourism marketing company was one of the most heralded outcomes of the Good Friday Agreement. Its operating terms of reference which have a defined focus on consolidating Irish tourism marketing activities overseas are viewed as a progressive approach to levering and enhancing Irish tourism potential. A Board of Directors comprising leading Irish tourism interests – north and south has been appointed under the Chairmanship of Andrew Coppel, Group Chief Executive, Queen’s Moat Houses plc and the vice Chairmanship of Ann Riordan, Marketing Manager, Microsoft Ireland.

Mary Fitzgerald, IHF President gave an assurance on behalf of IHF members throughout the country that the All Ireland Tourism Company would have the complete support of the IHF in achieving its goals. The partnership approach structure now established bringing tourism expertise and resources both north and south together with common objectives, would not only project a new image of confidence about Irish tourism abroad but pool resources to best effect.

"Combining and maximising tourism resources is visionary and sends a very positive message abroad about Ireland’s current political situation. The north/south company boasts through the calibre of its people, exceptional marketing and business expertise, which will result in realistic, commercially focused objectives being set. There are many areas of synergy in the tourism industry north and south, that through consolidation will enhance the impact of international marketing initiatives to encourage more people to visit Ireland," Mary Fitzgerald said.

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The end of year figures released by the Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation, show that 2000 was the most successful year ever for Irish tourism, with the industry bringing £3 billion to the Irish economy, an increase of almost 21% on 1999.

The figures reveal there were 6.3 million visitors to Ireland in 2000, an increase of 5% on 1999 and 153,000 people are now employed in the sector. In addition, domestic holidays increased by almost 7% to 3.3 million and expenditure on domestic holidays was up by 15% to £577 million.

Commenting on the figures Minister for Sport and Recreation, Dr Jim McDaid T.D., said "This is a good start to meeting our targets under the National Development Plan, which provides a sound policy framework within which the industry is forecast to grow by an average rate of 5% over the period 2000-2006".

Similar to last year, a number of markets reported an increase including the UK, North America, and long haul markets, with the growth of 6% from Mainland Europe primarily due to strong performance in the Benelux and Italian markets. The number of visitors from France was up by a modest 2%, while German visitors were down by 1% on last year.

Commenting on the announcement, Mary Fitzgerald, President of the Irish Hotels Federation said the figures were to be welcomed.

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Bord Fáilte 2001 Marketing Plans

Bord Fáilte launched its 2001 marketing plans for Irish tourism as part of a three-year tourism strategy entitled, ‘Tourism 2001-2003 Marketing in Partnership’ recently. The primary objective of Bord Fáilte’s marketing activities is to increase the number of promotable visits (i.e. those whose main purpose is holidaymaker, conference delegate, incentive travel participant or English language learning purposes) and the yield derived from these discretionary travellers.

Following is a summary of planned marketing activity for 2001:

Speaking at the first joint meeting between Tourism Ministers, North and South and the Chairman and Vice Chairperson of the board Dr James McDaid, TD expressed confidence that this co-operative approach towards winning a growing share of the world tourism market would prove successful benefiting the two communities and economies, North and South.

Sir Reg Empey said that he very much looked forward to the work of the tourism company in taking forward its tourism marketing role. "Tourism is widely recognised as a world growth opportunity. The new company enables the island of Ireland, north and south, to seize those opportunities to the mutual benefit of all".

The IHF is pleased to note the appointment of John Power, Chief Executive and Charles Sinnott, IHF member and Proprietor, Sinnott Hotels to the board of the new company. Howard Hastings, President of our sister organisation the NIHF and Managing Director of Hastings Hotel Group and Felix Mooney, past NIHF President and Chief Executive of the Mooney Group have also been appointed to the board.

Other members of the board include Tony Kelly, Marketing Director, Irish Ferries; Dennis Galway, Director and General Manager Larne Harbour Ltd. and Director P&O Ferries; Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman and John Dully, Chief Executive, Bord Failte and Roy Bailie Chairman and David McAuley, Acting Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

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"The 5% growth in overseas visitors to Ireland is encouraging, in particular the 10% growth in visitors from the USA. However, these figures do not mean that we can become complacent. It is vital that we continue to work together to ensure the many challenges facing our industry are overcome and continued growth in the future is achieved. From my feedback within the industry, not all regions benefited equally. We also have to be careful in looking at the revenue figures, in particular, to isolate the benefits of currency variations", Ms Fitzgerald said.

Dr McDaid highlighted a number of factors that contributed to the year’s success including the new Sports Tourism Initiative to attract major sporting events.

This initiative has already attracted such high profile events as the Ford Cork Sailing Week, Ladies Irish Golf Open and PWS Irish Wave Grand Prix. The continuing marketing drive by Bord Fáilte, the on-going opening and expansion of hotels and guesthouses and other holiday amenities over the year, and the launch of a series of new marketing initiatives to assist small enterprises, were also key factors.

The £150 million secured over the seven years of the National Development Plan, for a new tourism marketing fund, the additional £12.5 million from the recent budget and the overseas marketing by the tourist industry, in total, amounts to a record £90 million spend for the tourism industry in 2001. Overall growth forecast for 2001 is for an increase of 5% in visitors and 6% in revenue.

The 63rd IHF Annual Conference and AGM is taking place in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, from Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th of February 2001. Strategy is the theme of this year’s conference, with the recently completed strategic review of the hotel and guesthouse industry forming the basis of many of the presentations. Getting back to strategy means reverting to a deep understanding of what the product is about and much of the strategic review concentrated on this question - why customers use hotels and guesthouses and what experience they are seeking?

The IHF has secured an excellent panel of speakers including: Warwick White, Chief Executive, Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland; Peter Bacon PhD; Cathy Enz PhD; Michael Counihan, Partner, CHL Consulting Group; Philip Heneghan PhD, Partner, CHL Consulting Group; Dan Healy, Taxation Consultant; Joseph Ruddy, DIT and Ruairi O’ Nuallain, Executive Director of ICC Corporate Finance Ltd. Dr. James McDaid TD will officially address the conference on Tuesday 27th February, with an opportunity for members’ to pose questions afterwards.

A varied and interesting spouses programme has been developed for this year’s AGM including an image consultation with Celia Larkin; a Kilkenny Craft Trail; Antique jewellery and valuations and lunch with former Irish rugby captain, Willie Duggan. Early booking is essential this year, in particular for the Gala Dinner, the spouse programme and the Managers Conference, all of which have limited places available.

Members who have not registered and wish to attend, should contact IHF head office immediately. Alternatively, details are available on the IHF website and members can submit a reservation on-line at www.ihf.ie.

At the time of going to print the IHF learned of the untimely passing of Brian McCarthy, former IHF President. Brian was President in 1984 and 1985 and will be sadly missed by his friends and colleagues in the hotel and tourism industry. An appreciation of Brian's contribution to the industry and the IHF will be included in next month's edition of Innsight.

• Ardmore Country House, Westport
• Cedar Lodge, Co. Wexford
• Holiday Inn, Killarney

• Kilkenny Ormond Hotel
• Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee
• Uppercross House Hotel, Dublin

This year’s FÁS Opportunities recruitment exhibition, in which the IHF will be participating, is taking place from 3rd - 6th February inclusive. The event, which is held in Dublin’s RDS, is extremely well attended, with over 100,000 people visiting last year.

As in previous years the IHF will hold a joint stand with CERT. This is a golden opportunity for members to recruit staff whether full or part time, for a wide range of positions accross all departments.

Participants will have the opportunity to speak to potential employees, discuss the opportunities available and either interview at this time or make alternative arrangements.

IHF members wishing to avail of this opportunity and assist the IHF to man the stand on any of these days should contact Anne O’Carroll or Nuala McLoughlin on (01) 497 6459.

The Kerry Branch of the Career Guidance Counsellors held their annual student information and careers day in the Brandon Hotel, Tralee recently. It is estimated that more than 1,500 fifth and sixth year students from all over Kerry attended to discuss careers with a number of hospitality companies

The IHF and CERT were represented and again worked side by side to give advice on the various courses available and their associated qualifications, as well as insight into the working environment in hotels and guesthouses. This year popular courses among students were hospitality, chef and trainee management as well as general tourism.

In addition to advice on career options many of the students were interested in gaining work experience and some members were on hand to assist with this. The IHF was represented by Anne O’Carroll; Fionnbar Walsh, Chairman of the Kerry Branch; Susan Kelly from the Gleneagle Hotel and by two managers from the Killarney Ryan.

Pictured are Maureen Hegarty and Thys Vogles of the Kilarney Ryan Hotel with Fionnbar Walsh, Kerry Branch Chairman at the Kerry Guidance Councellors Careers Day.

Pictured is Teresa receiving a special presentation from John Power, President IHF.

After 28 years-loyal service to the IHF, Teresa Budds, the backbone of the administration, retired last November. Teresa is fondly remembered by many of our members and is sorely missed from the team at Northbrook Road.

It is with much sadness that the IHF learned that tragically, shortly after Theresa’s retirement, her husband Gerry passed away. On behalf of all the IHF members and Theresa’s many friends within the hotel and tourism industry, we extend our deepest condolences and thoughts, to Theresa and her daughters Orla & Maeve.

According to an independent exit survey of 1,777 visitors, satisfaction with Ireland’s tourist information office network is very high among holidaymakers to this country.

The survey was conducted by the Tourist Research Centre of the Dublin Institute of Technology. It comprised an 11 minute interview at three busy locations – Galway, Kilkenny and Kinsale and it revealed some interesting findings including the following:

• Satisfaction rating with the TIO service is high, with 91% of respondents ranking it good or very good.
• Nine out of ten respondents favoured the wide range of services available in tourist offices.
• Only 58% were aware of the room reservations service and only 14% used it.
• 95% found the tourist offices easy to find, the majority by following the signposts (37%).
• Half of the respondents using the TIO services availed of the free services only, while the average spend of all respondents was £1.51.
• 84% of respondents considered the opening hours suitable to their needs.
• Seven out of ten respondents use the Internet, regularly or occasionally.
• Visitors suggested ‘more staff’ as their top recommendation for improving the tourist office service.