Ryanair has announced the commencement of six new European routes this summer. The company expects to carry over 500,000 passengers per annum to and from Biarritz, Carcassonne, Doncaster, Eindhoven, Frankfurt and Rome. The first routes to Biarritz and Carcassone will commence on April 19th, with the other routes following thereafter.

The company used the launch of the new routes as an opportunity to highlight once more its frustration with the Government’s delay in moving on the second fast turnaround terminal at Dublin Airport, a sentiment echoed by many tourism interests.

Ryanair’s Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley said “these six new routes from Europe to Dublin are great news for Irish consumers, Irish tourism, and Irish jobs. Ryanair will use its large marketing presence in these overseas markets to drum up business for Irish tourism.”

“A competing second terminal would bring five million new passengers per annum and create 5,000 jobs. These routes today are just a taste of what’s possible if only decision would replace dithering as the tourism policy of Bertie Ahern’s Government” he continued.

The Galway Branch of the IHF has described as “outrageous” a decision by Galway County Council to increase rates in the county by 8%. The increase, it says, is more than three times the rate of inflation and comes on top of a 33% increase over the past three years. According to the IHF, there is no relationship between this increase and the level of services provided by the County Council. In Connemara and throughout the county generally, the services provided to tourism are considered extremely poor and in some places virtually non existent.

Paul O’Meara, Chairman, Galway Branch, IHF, commented “the tourism industry is the largest employer in the west and the biggest purchaser of goods and services. In a year when there has been major criticism of high prices, the IHF believes that the county council is totally detached from what is going on in the business community by making this exorbitant increase. The comment by the County Mayor Willie Burke that businesses would not notice another 8% increase is outrageous. The local authorities as an organ of the state, should be leading by example in combating price”.

The annual Irish Hotel and Catering Institute (IHCI) Awards 2004 were recently held in Dublin, where Deirdre Murphy of Tralee IT received the IHCI Barton & Guestier Hospitality Graduate Manager of the Year Award. The award was created to recognise excellence by graduate managers from hospitality management courses in colleges and Institutes of Technology nationwide. Guests on the night included Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue, TD, and Minister for Education and Science, Ms. Mary Hanafin, TD. The awards were presided over by IHCI President and IHF South East Branch Chairperson, Mr. Peter Wilson.

Other award winners on the night included:

IHCI Deep RiverRock Young Hospitality Manager of the Year Award

Rory O’ Sullivan, General Manager, Castle Hotel, Macroom, Co. Cork

IHCI HR and Training Manager of the Year Award

Jennifer Lee, Group Human Resources Manager, Jurys Doyle Hotels

IHCI Hotel & Catering Review Hotel Manager of the Year Award

Mary Buckley, Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin Airport

IHCI Catering Manager of the Year Award

Pat Lombard, Campbell Catering, EMC, Cork

The Hotel, Catering & Tourism (HCT) Department at the Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) will host a Tourism and Hospitality Careers Exhibition on 3rd March 2005, to encourage young people in the region to consider a career in the industry. The event will offer attendees the opportunity to meet professionals from both education and industry. An exhibition area will provide up to date and relevant information for those currently working in the industry or for those considering a career in this area.

Tours of the state of the art ITT and HCT facilities will be scheduled with staff from the Hospitality Department who will also assist with career advice and course queries. Contact Norma O’Brien, Tel: 066 7191665 or email: norma.obrien@staff.ittralee.ie for further information.

Students at the Institute of Technology Tralee pictured at the announcement of its forthcoming Tourism and Hospitality Careers Exhibition.

Over 80,000 job seekers and students visited the FÁS Opportunities 2005 in the Exhibition Centre at Croke Park from the 14th-17th January. As in previous years the IHF shared a stand with Fáilte Ireland and representatives from both organisations were on hand over the four days to answer any questions from those interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Druids Glen Golf Resort received the European Golf Resort of the Year 2005 trophy, by ex Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance, at a prestigious Awards event in Estoril, Portugal. The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Awards were established in 2000 to reward exceptional contributions to the world of golf travel, a market that caters for 50 million players worldwide.

To determine the award winners, 165 members of the IAGTO from 32 countries, asked golfers to answer a series of questions. It was from this intense competition that Druids Glen was chosen as the top golf resort in Europe, with value for money clinching the win for the resort.

Commenting on the award, John O’Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism stated, “Golf tourism offers us a significant and invaluable contribution to Irish life and remains one of the key components of the Irish tourism product today and will continue to be in the future. In 2003, we had 133,000 golf visitors to Ireland generating revenue of €126m. In fact, 83% of those visitors stated that golf was an important factor in choosing Ireland as their holiday destination.”

18th Hole at Druids Glen Golf Course

The Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin, is currently undergoing the final stage of a four stage development plan. The new expansion will provide an additional 40 superior bedrooms, a conference centre, which will host an additional 300 delegates for meetings/events, and dry leisure facilities, including a gym, sauna and spa treatment area. Work on the project has begun and the completion date is set for June 2005.

Mr. Des Pettitt, owner Stillorgan Park Hotel, (centre) congratulates Billy Mythen (left) and Frank Ennis (right), Mythen Construction, in winning the contract for new developments at the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin

The Radisson SAS Hotel Sligo hosted X Factor star Tabby’s homecoming recently. Sligo singer Trevor ‘Tabby’ Callaghan, who came third in the popular ITV talent search in December, returned to his hometown to a rapturous reception. His Sligo supporters turned up in their droves to welcome the star home, as the Mayor of Sligo - Declan Bree and local dignitaries toasted Tabby’s success with a civic reception, before a party for Tabby and his family and friends got underway in the Radisson.

The Galway Radisson SAS Hotel and Spa won Business Hotel of the Year Award at the Georgina Campbell Guide Awards for Excellence 2005.

The Guide’s Awards of Excellence recognise excellence throughout the country at all levels from top hotels and restaurants in major cities, to the smallest guesthouses or farmhouse accommodation and, of course, that great national institution, the Irish pub, is not overlooked.

The Baileys Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year Award has been won by Gerard Molloy from L’Ecrivain, Dublin’s renowned one star Michelin restaurant. Twenty year old Gerard, who is a pastry chef, took the title after submitting his CV and a set essay on a culinary theme. The competition culminated in the preparation of a five course gourmet banquet for 120 guests from the hospitality and media industries before the announcement of the winner.

Pictured are the four finalists and winner with Paul Pratt, Ireland Home Director, R&A Bailey at Chapter One restaurant. From left: Xin Sun, The Connemara Coast Hotel, Galway; Patricia Teahan, Carrig Country House & Restaurant, Killorglin, Co. Kerry; winner Gerard Molloy, L’Ecrivain, Dublin; Joanne Sheehan, Lovett’s Restaurant, Douglas, Cork and James Kavanagh, The Strawberry Tree Restaurant, Brooklodge Hotel, Wicklow.

Hotel Management specialist, PREM Group has announced a €350 million investment programme and plans to open 18 new hotels in Ireland and 50 in the UK over the next five years.

According to PREM Group Managing Director, Mr. Jim Murphy, the first phase of the investment programme will see new Days hotels open in Dublin Airport, Castlebar, Galway City, Tullamore, Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Nottingham. The hotels will be operated by PREM Group on behalf of the franchisee, under license agreement with Cendant International, the world’s largest hotel franchisor.

Cendant currently have a total of 35 Days hotels in Ireland and the UK, making it the largest hotel franchise in Europe. The new hotels will compliment PREM Group’s existing properties in Dublin, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham. The latest hotel is due open in early December in Tullamore, while next year, a further five hotels will open in Ireland and ten will open in the UK. Plans are also at an advanced stage for franchised hotels in Tipperary, Waterford, Kerry and Dublin City Centre. Commenting, Mr. Murphy said “there is a significant gap in the market for premium three star accommodation and we have identified key locations both here and in the UK.”

Jim Murphy, Managing Director, PREM Group

Dublin’s Clarence Hotel and the Park Hotel Kenmare are both featured in Conde Nast Traveller Magazine’s Gold List 2005, the only two Irish properties of the 108 hotels listed. For the first time, Conde Nast Traveller has compiled a list of greatest hotels in the world which represents their choice of establishments that are best for location, rooms, service, ambience/design, food and leisure facilities.

The Clarence, Dublin is listed for Best for Service, while the Park Hotel, Kenmare features in the Best for Facilities Category.

The Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Knockranny House Hotel’s Front Office Manager, Belinda Maloney, recently won the Most Excellent Service Award at Condé Nast Johansens’ annual awards function. The awards are in recognition of establishments and staff that have received outstanding feedback from guests as well as top marks from inspectors over the previous twelve months.

A native of Westport, Belinda Maloney trained in the Killybegs Tourism College before gaining experience in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan and Dromoland Castle. She joined Knockranny House Hotel in May of 2002, taking on the role of Head Receptionist.

According to Stuart Johnson, Publishing Director for Britain and Ireland, who presented the award, Belinda had primarily impressed the judges by not only receiving terrific feedback from guests for the welcome and service she provides, but also by creating an enjoyable working environment for her team and successfully introducing incentives and targets for them, thereby increasing room sales and repeat guests. Belinda’s achievement in winning the award was further notable by the fact that it was the only one received by any Irish establishment at this year’s ceremony.

Paul Exton (left) and Stuart Johnson (right), Conde Nast Johansens’ Publishing Director, presenting the award to Belinda Maloney of Knockranny House Hotel

George Hook has joined the Lansdowne Hotel as General Manager. Prior to his new role George was General Manager of the Hibernian Hotel, Dublin where he established a strong luncheon trade and substantially increased bedroom occupancy. He started his career in the Mespil Hotel following his graduation from DIT in June 1995.

David Leech has been appointed Sales Manager at Roganstown Golf & Country Club, the four star luxury retreat in Swords, Co. Dublin. Prior to joining Roganstown, David was Ireland Manager with venue finding agency IBR Ltd. and Business Development Manager at corporate events and hospitality specialists, Ovation. David holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics from UCD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations from the Fitzwilliam Institute.

Sandra Maybury has joined Ramada International Hotels & Resorts Ireland as Revenue Manager for the Group. A business graduate of the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Sandra comes to Ramada from the Choice Hotel Group.

Aileen Hoyne also joins the Ramada Group as Sales Co-ordinator for the Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballykisteen, Co. Tipperary which is due to open in June 2005. She is a Management/ Marketing graduate of the University of Ulster and comes to Ramada from Momentum Marketing Services in Clonmel.

As Cork takes up the European Capital of Culture mantle with gusto, Innsight caught up with Director of Cork 2005, John Kennedy to find out what’s in store for the city over the next 12 months...

A spectacular pyrotechnics display, the like of which this country had never seen before, was at the core of the festivities that ushered in Cork City’s reign as European Capital of Culture with a fanfare. Supported by a lively, colourful street carnival over 8/9 January, this was an impressive curtain raiser for the activities that are set to keep Cork buzzing throughout 2005.

For the next 12 months, culture will be at the heart of activities in the City, and Cork will be at the centre of all things cultural in the EU. As well as recognising a city’s existing cultural fabric, the programme is designed to encourage cities to develop and innovate through participation in the cultural arena.

By actively engaging with the EU, Cork intends to become a host city for diverse cultures. The European Capital of Culture programme is required to promote cultural co-operation and understanding across all of Europe. It is a celebration of our European commitment, which requires the chosen city to deliver events and activities that match Europe’s scale and significance.

Those involved believe 2005 presents a rare opportunity to really put Cork on the map internationally. John Kennedy, the man heading up Cork 2005, sees the city’s designation as European Capital of Culture as a chance for the “repositioning of Cork.”

“What I mean is that if you are an outsider, say a tourist in Germany or wherever contemplating a visit to Ireland this year, you won’t necessarily be thinking of Cork first”. Cork 2005, he feels, is a great opportunity to establish Cork as a destination of choice, and not just a gateway to Kerry. And he’s not just thinking in terms of 2005. “We are also placing an emphasis on legacy. We see 2005 as a springboard forward rather than an end in itself”.

He adds “this is not just a one year opportunity. Anecdotal evidence from other cities suggests the real benefit only flows through over the coming five to ten years. How it is managed after this year and in years to come is as big an issue”.

He doesn’t have any specific revenue targets going forward but every citizen of the city knows by now that the scale of refurbishment seen in the city centre - to the likes of Patrick Street and Shandon etc. might not have happened as quickly had it not been for Cork 2005.

He accepts there are drawbacks in the present infrastructure that might slow down Cork’s ability to fully exploit the opportunities. The hotels, he notes, are actively working towards attracting small to medium size conferences to the city, but the absence of a sizeable conference centre in the city remains a problem.

Hotel capacity too is an issue. “This is a business city so the hotels are invariably working close to capacity,” according to Kennedy. However, he notes with delight that three major new hotels are due on stream in Cork this year.

Similarly, the new terminal at the airport will ease congestion there and he is hopeful that talk of a transatlantic service will come to fruition, along with greater access from European cities.

Kennedy says that the Cork public “are still a bit bemused by the whole thing - they’re not sure what being European Capital of Culture is going to mean”. There has been some criticism of the news flow from Cork 2005, the special company set up to organise and run the cultural activities that will go on in the City through 2005.

However, Kennedy admits that Cork 2005 deliberately opted to “drip feed” news as a means of slowly building up interest and excitement.

If Cork people are a bit bemused then it’s fair to say that the rest of this island has not yet really woken up to what’s going on in Cork. But that should all change now that the activities have begun. It should also be noted that Cork City is the first European Capital of Culture in Ireland, an honour that will not return to this country for at least a quarter of a century. The European Capital of Culture programme succeeds the original European City of Culture programme, which began in 1985 and ended in December. Each of the 25 EU member states will now get a turn, commencing with Ireland and continuing with Greece in 2006. Lille in France had the designation last year.

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