The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) recently launched its election policy document A Focus on Competiveness - A policy for Sustaining Growth, which outlines seven action areas for the next Government to prioritise to ensure the continued competitiveness of Irish tourism. The IHF warns that, as the country's largest indigenous industry, tourism needs to be protected to ensure it continues to be a substantial employer and contributor to the Irish economy. It states that, given a favourable domestic cost base, the sector has the potential to be a leader in restoring Ireland's international competitiveness.

The IHF states that Ireland's tourist industry is an enormous asset employing over 145,000 people throughout every village, town and city across the country. Unlike multinational corporations, which can move facilities at short notice, tourism is a fundamental part of the fabric of Irish society and culture. Nationally, it generates over €6 billion in revenue - equivalent to 3.1% of GNP.

The IHF has actively encouraged election candidates to instigate debate on a range of issues impacting on the continued success of Ireland's tourism sector. In particular, the Federation has identified wage control, funding of marketing initiatives, energy costs and Local Authority funding as the top issues concerning the tourism sector.

Ms Annette Devine, President, IHF, has called for a commitment by the next Government to ensure that wage increases are not in excess of those provided by national agreements in order to safeguard against further escalation in wages which already are out of line with other European countries. The Federation states that the method used in arriving at the last two reviews of the National Minimum Wage rate of pay agreements is totally at variance with the objective of maintaining competitiveness in the Irish economy and must not continue.

According to Ms Devine, “There needs to be continued investment in marketing and promoting Ireland as a destination to overseas tourists. The IHF is calling for marketing funds to be increased and for the 2007 spend of €45m to be at least index linked to inflation. The 'Open Skies' deal, which will see increased direct air access between Ireland and the USA, must be supported with specific marketing funds to exploit this opportunity to increase US visitors to Ireland. It is essential that special marketing support for the Shannon region of at least €10m per annum for five years is put in place to assist the region in coping with and benefiting from the changed environment of the ending of the Shannon stop-over.”

The IHF also calls on the next Government to remove barriers to achieving a more competitive energy market in order to reverse serious cost increases for energy supply. Ireland's electricity prices for industry are the third highest in the EU, behind Italy and Cyprus. The cost and availability of energy is a crucial issue for the Irish hotel sector, particularly in an environment where increasing operating costs are threatening the competitiveness of the sector. The IHF urges the next Government to urgently review the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation and ensure that, in reaching its decisions, priority is given to national competitiveness.

Ms Devine states, “The current system of Local Authority funding is based on an antiquated taxation system of commercial rates that sees local authorities extract taxes relative to the size of premises without sufficient recourse to the profitability of the business operating in that property. The next Government must put in place a more equitable, broader based local taxation method instead of levying an inequitable tax largely based on property size rather than the profits of a business.”

Pictured (l-r) are: Dan Flinter, Chairman Fáilte Ireland Product Group; Eamonn McKeown, ITIC; Peter Malone, Chairman Fáilte Ireland Business Tourism Forum; An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, TD; Dermod Dwyer, Chairman, Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin; John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, and Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland. Continued on page 2.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published a leaflet to assist caterers understand and implement recent beef labelling requirements. The Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations, 2006 requires all caterers to provide information on the country of origin of beef, in certain circumstances, that they sell on their premises to customers. The new labelling initiative will help consumers make informed decisions on the beef they select in hotels, restaurants, public houses and canteens.

Caterers must provide information on where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in a clearly visible and legible manner. The Regulations stipulate that the information must state the country or countries of origin of the animal; where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered. Caterers are also required to state if beef from more than one source is supplied to the establishment. This information can be displayed on menus, or on a sign in the premises or in the window of a food establishment.

The FSAI states that the leaflet will act as a resource to the catering industry to assist compliance with the Regulations. According to Dr John O’Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI, the priority at this stage is to ensure all caterers are aware of and understand their obligations and take necessary steps to communicate the country of origin of beef to their customers. It is in the interests of consumers to be given this information as it empowers them to make more informed decisions.

Beef covered by the Regulations includes beef brought into the establishment as fresh and frozen cuts (including mince) and beef which has been cooked or otherwise prepared for human consumption in the caterer’s establishment. It also includes beef cuts (including mince) brought into the food business already cooked and subsequently served to customers. Certain beef types are not covered by the Regulations and these include; beef dishes and minced beef dishes brought in by the caterer in a pre-prepared state or beef in sandwiches which are delivered pre-made to the caterer.

A copy of the leaflet and further information on the country of origin of beef labelling requirements can be obtained by calling the FSAI Advice Line on 1890 336677 or by visiting the website at www.fsai.ie

John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, recently announced additional grant assistance of over €700,000, to be administered by Fáilte Ireland, in respect of the Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative, 2007.

Initiatives being funded include:

The National Conference Centre (NCC) has secured its first booking with the announcement that the venue will host a major international medical conference by the British Orthopaedic Association in September 2011 with over 1,000 delegates attending.

Dermod Dwyer, Chairman, Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin, said, “Ten years ago we determined that this was the landmark project we hoped to have located at Spencer Dock. Since then, through several competitive tenders, we have followed that goal. Our team has worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure that this important national building meets the highest international standards in design and operational efficiency. We will continue this partnership approach for the future management of the NCC.”

“We are particularly pleased to announce today that the NCC has secured the booking for a large international medical congress for 2011 for over 1,000 delegates. We are also in advanced negotiations for a major world event in 2012 that would bring more than 3,000 delegates. The NCC management and marketing team is already taking a very active approach to target international associations and corporate meetings. Even before the final decision to award the contract to the Spencer Dock site we had received numerous enquiries, from Ireland and abroad, which is a positive sign of the demand for such high-quality facilities,” said Dermod Dwyer.

“Our focus now is on completing the construction as quickly as possible and to working with tourism bodies, business and professional groups to attract large international congresses to Ireland, which have a very long lead-in time.” added Mr Dwyer.

At almost half a million square feet, the National Conference Centre will be the largest single-use building constructed in Dublin in decades. It will have a 2,000 seat auditorium and a large range of purpose built meeting, banqueting and exhibition spaces over five levels. Up to 8,000 delegates will be accommodated in various configurations, making the NCC one of the most flexible conference centres in Europe.

Fáilte Ireland has forecast a doubling of both conference visitors and revenue to Ireland from 2006 to 2012, to 567,000 visitors and €853 million in earnings, demonstrating the projected impact of the National Conference Centre. The Centre is expected to create up to 250 full-time equivalent jobs and up to 300 part-time positions when open. It will also support in excess of 2,000 jobs indirectly in the business tourism sector.

Ireland’s largest tourism trade fair, Meitheal 2007, which recently took place at the RDS in Dublin recently is expected to generate over €10 million in trade for Irish tourism. The event, which is jointly organised by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, saw over 250 international overseas tour operators meeting with more than 500 Irish product providers.

Speaking at the launch, Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland, said, "Meitheal 2007 is Ireland’s largest and most important annual tourism trade fair and directly generates over €10 million in business during the day. It gives the Irish tourism industry an ideal platform to meet and do business with overseas tour operators. Meitheal plays an important role as Irish tourism businesses meet key and potential customers face-to-face."

Almost 30 overseas markets were represented at this year’s workshop, with a particularly strong representation from the new and developing markets such as China, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic and India. In all, some 12,000 business appointments took place under one roof, confirming Meitheal’s importance as tourism’s premier event.

Pictured at the Balaji Tours International, India stand were (l-r) Manish Agarwal; Paul O'Toole, CEO, Tourism Ireland; Shaun Quinn, CEO, Fáilte Ireland, and Marie McCormack and Deirdre Cole, Fáilte Ireland East & Midlands.

"While 2006 was a record year for Irish tourism, there can be no room for complacency. Our visitors are becoming more discerning and our new investment strategy highlights an urgent need to upgrade and expand our portfolio of tourism attractions and activities. As an initial step, Fáilte Ireland has already committed €30 million as part of a broader €140 million package for the upgrading of key existing attractions and for the development of new attractions and activities in 2007 and 2008. This investment is needed if Ireland is to continue to be relevant and interesting for both our domestic and overseas tourists," added Mr Quinn.

Welcoming the business and networking opportunities provided for overseas trade at the event, Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland said that, in this highly competitive global marketplace, it is essential for tourism enterprises on the island of Ireland to highlight and promote the diverse range of exciting things to do here to the trade overseas. Mr O’Toole stated that, given continuing consumer trend towards late booking, it is still early to make a definitive call on the season but that it is all to play for.

“Crucially, direct air access into the island of Ireland for the Summer period is at an all time high, with an overall increase of 7% on total air capacity compared to the same period last year," added Mr O’Toole.

Pictured at the launch of the Tourism Ireland Regional Drive for Overseas Visitors were Emma Dunne (10) and Eva Dunne (4).

A specially tailored, €6 million initiative has been announced by Tourism Ireland to drive overseas marketing of Irish Regions. The main markets to be targeted will include Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany which already deliver 80% of overseas visitors to the island of Ireland.

Paul O’Toole, CEO, Tourism Ireland, stated, “The special regional marketing campaigns launched last year worked extremely well in overseas markets and delivered results. We have refreshed and enhanced these campaigns for the Regions this year. In Great Britain, for example, the successful region-toregion approach capitalising on the excellent access links between specific areas of Britain and the Regions of Ireland will continue.”

“A new Car Touring campaign is planned to attract motoring visitors. Research shows that visitors, who travel by car or who hire one when here, stay longer, spend more and tour the countryside more extensively”, said Paul O’Toole. He added that the initiative will complement and overarch Tourism Ireland’s existing destination marketing and regional programmes.

Product themes have also been developed to encourage overseas visitors to travel to the regions by highlighting icons and unique selling points and creating touring themes around music, artisan and gourmet food, literature, arts, history, houses, castles and gardens among others, to help Ireland’s more discerning visitors to get the most of a holiday here.

Pictured at the recent launch of The Master's Apprentice are (l-r): Michael Davern, The K Club, Co Kildare; Lorraine Cunningham, Co Galway; Orla McAndrew, Co Kerry; Michelle McCarthy, Co Galway; and Sean O'Malley, Fáilte Ireland.

An exciting, new six part television series, The Master’s Apprentice,was recently launched in association with Fáilte Ireland to highlight careers in tourism. The series, which airs on RTÉ on Sunday evenings at 7.30pm, is produced by Tyrone Productions and aims to portray a career in tourism as a rewarding and fulfilling one.

Each week, the show introduces an expert from the upper echelons of the hospitality industry to a novice from the same field, and sets them both a challenge. The Master must pass on the secrets of their success and the Apprentice must seize the opportunity to learn and put the lessons into instant practice. The final episodes of the series will be aired on the 20th and 27th of May and the 3rd of June.

Twenty-eight participants representing hotels, restaurants and other tourism interests recently completed the 2006/07 Fáilte Ireland Management Development Programme. The programme is run in association with Cornell University and aims to enhance the skills and widen the business perspective of owners and managers of hospitality industry enterprises.

Pictured are (l-r): Aisling Sommerville, Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport; Aidan Pender, Director, Policy & Industry Development, Fáilte Ireland; Mark Dunne, The Westbury Hotel; Orla Glennon, Quality Hotel, Dublin; Tom Kline, Director Executive Education, Cornell University; and Joleen Donoghue, Bewleys Leopardstown Hotel.

Pictured are (l-r): Aidan Pender, Fáilte Ireland; Derek Flood, K Club; Daniel Corbett, Esplanade Hotel; Mary Hall, Course Coordinator, Fáilte Ireland; Rory O’Sullivan, The Park Hotel, Kenmare; Rory Scotty, the d hotel, and Tom Kline, Cornell University.

Etihad Airways announces flights from Abu Dhabi to Dublin.

Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch flights from Abu Dhabi to Dublin at the start of July. Commenting on the initiative, which will see four flights per week being operated between the UAE and Ireland, James Hogan, Chief Executive, Etihad Airways, said, “Since announcing that Etihad will operate flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, demand has grown significantly. By launching at the beginning of July, we will be able to cater for the considerable summer traffic and establish Etihad in this new market.”