HOTELIERS CONCERNED AT TWO-SPEED RECOVERY IN OVERSEAS VISITOR NUMBERS

Continued Funding For Tourism Ireland Is Essential

10 January 2011

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) states that the 4 per cent decrease in overseas visitor numbers between September and November reflected disappointing occupancy levels in hotels and guesthouses outside Dublin in the last quarter.

Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, IHF states, “Occupancy rates are 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 the end of last year.”

Mr Fenn states that continued funding for Tourism Ireland at current levels is essential to avoid any declines taking hold in 2012 and jeopardising the important work done to date to secure growth and job creation in the tourism sector.

ENDS

FOR INFORMATION:

Eoin Quinn/Orla Molloy                 Dublin office: 01 6760168

Weber Shandwick                         Mobile: 087 233 2191 / 087 770 5108