Sunday 21st February 1999

IHF PREDICTS SUCCESSFUL ALL-ISLAND TOURISM VENTURES

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) suggests that all-island tourism co-operation will be strengthened following the announcement and overwhelming vote, last week to accept the proposed Northern Government Departments and cross border bodies. On the eve of its 61st Annual Conference in Donegal, the IHF says future tourism strategies should transcend political boundaries, ultimately leading to a coherent, positive projection of Ireland as a tremendous destination.

"There are many opportunities and economies of scale for the promotion of an all-island destination and we look forward to continuing our joint ventures with Northern Ireland tourism bodies," says Bill Power, President, IHF. "It is to everyone's benefit that our tourism industry continues to thrive, and being able to present Ireland as a peaceful island will have major advantages in attracting visitors."

The IHF welcomes the focus on all island tourism marketing and has been working closely with its Northern Ireland counterparts, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, for the past number of years. It is planned that working closely both organisations will ensure uniform standards in hospitality throughout the island, so that visitors enjoy excellence in every area of service no matter where their destination is in Ireland.

The two organisations have already set up a joint working group to consider all the issues arising from the peace agreement. This group will develop strategies to compliment each country's tourism programmes while also identifying areas of co-operation and implementation for the mutual benefit of everyone in the tourism industry.

"The hoped for all island marketing arrangements will be announced in March and will be the start of a new era for Irish tourism. It will allow for our organisations to jointly promote the island on a more focused basis," says Bill Power, President, IHF. "Tourism is a major contributor to both our economies and there are great opportunities to develop more joint commercial initiatives on an all-island basis. The peace agreement will give tremendous impetus to ensure our industry develops in a sustained manner throughout the entire island, while also offering both organisations opportunities to share valuable experience."

Already the NIHF intends to instigate a Quality Employer Programme initiative similar to the one launched in 1996 by the Irish Hotels Federation. It is hoped this will ensure excellence in employment standards throughout the country. The IHF's Quality Employer Programme is a detailed code of practice which assists hotel employers adopt and maintain the highest standards of employment.

The QEP sets standards in all areas of employment including recruitment, training, personnel relations, rostering and the arrangements of work hours. Since its inception last year, over 55% of IHF members have applied for accreditation to the programme.

Currently, both organisations work together on the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative (OTMI) and the highly successful Be Our Guest Guide which is the leading guide listing hotels and guesthouses throughout the island and distributed throughout the world.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Siobhan Molloy/Ciara Sweeney
Tel: (086) 817 50 66 or (086) 8262280.