22.12.2014
90% OF IRISH HOTELS UPBEAT FOR 2015 ACCORDING TO IHF INDUSTRY BAROMETER
“Ireland Now Firmly Back on the Tourism Map Following Two Years of Impressive Growth”
 
•    86% of hoteliers and guesthouses report increased business levels
   66% of hoteliers have taken on new staff this year
   Additional marketing funding required for tourism bodies
 
Irish hotels and guesthouses are more optimistic going into 2015 with 90% saying they have a positive outlook for the next twelve months, according to the latest Hotel Barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). However, despite this renewed sense of confidence, the hotels sector continues to operate from a low revenue base following the recession and some 41% of hoteliers say they remain concerned about the viability of their business.
 
With overseas visitors up over 8% this year (Jan-Nov) according the latest figures from the CSO, 86% of hoteliers are reporting an increase in business levels for 2014. The sector is benefiting from increased levels of tourism from all key markets including North America (up 15%), Britain (up 8%) and Continental Europe (up 6%).
 
There is also cause for optimism in the home market following years of subdued consumer confidence, with people gradually starting to take more trips at home and spend more money in the local economy. This has been evident in the run up to Christmas with 84% of hoteliers reporting that Christmas bookings, including parties, are either the same or better than last year. 
 
“Ireland is now firmly back on the global tourism map following two years of impressive growth. This is good news for the economy as a whole,” says Stephen McNally, President of the IHF. “However, many rural areas have not fared as well given their over-dependence on local consumer spending and the difficulty encouraging visitors to venture outside the main tourism hotspots. This is a major challenge given the vital contribution tourism makes to local economies.”
 
The Hotel Barometer shows that the upturn is contributing to further jobs growth with two out of three (66%) hotels and guesthouses taking on additional staff in 2014 while 86% say the Government’s decision to retain the 9% tourism VAT rate will assist them to take on further staff in 2015. The measure, which brought Ireland more closely in line with the tourism VAT rates of competitors across the rest of Europe, has contributed to the creation of 33,000 jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry since its introduction in 2011. As a whole, Irish tourism now supports approximately 205,000 jobs - equivalent to 11% of total employment in the country and accounting for 4% of gross national product. 
 
Mr McNally notes that, according to Fáilte Ireland, tourism is expected to contribute €6.5 billion in revenues to the economy and generate €1.9 billion in taxes for the Government this year. He says: “Irish tourism has shown itself to be an excellent investment for the country. However, it is one that we need to nurture if it is to continue to deliver returns.”
 
“Despite constrained resources, our industry has significantly upped its game on the marketing front, with targeted programmes from Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland achieving strong cut through in reinvigorating our tourism brand and Ireland’s image as a holiday destination. We have, without doubt, become more imaginative in developing our tourism product and in giving holidaymakers new and compelling reasons to visit. Excellent examples include the already hugely successful Wild Atlantic Way and the East/South-East Heritage Trail due to be launched next year.” 
 
“However, since the downturn, Government funding for tourism marketing and product development has been cut back substantially. Our tourism bodies have been operating under very constrained budgets which puts the long-term sustainable growth of our industry at risk,” says Mr McNally. “There is now a pressing need to ensure sufficient funding is allocated. At the very least, this would require funding to be returned to 2012 levels if we are to maximise tourism’s growth potential.”
 
Mr McNally notes that, while hotel revenues remain significantly below those achieved six years ago, increased confidence in the sector is feeding into greater levels of investment by hoteliers. Some 86% plan to increase investment in refurbishment and product development in 2015 while 77% plan to increase their investment in marketing.
 
Market Overview (Breakdown)
 
   Island of Ireland: Compared to this time last year, business levels are up in the domestic market with (82%) of respondents seeing an increase in business from the island of Ireland so far this year. This contrasts 10% who are experiencing static business levels and 8% who are seeing a decrease in business from the domestic market.  
 
   Britain and North America: Respondents are positive about the British market with 72% seeing an increase in business from our largest overseas market compared to this time last year while 21% see no change and 7% see a decrease. Some 63% of respondents are seeing an increase in business from North America while 26% see no change and 11% see a decrease.
 
   Germany and France: Results indicate less robust performances for Germany and France, Ireland’s biggest markets in continental Europe. Compared with this time last year, 38% are seeing increased business from Germany (49% see no change; 13% see a decrease) while 26% are seeing an increase from France (58% see no change; 16% see a decrease).
 
Pressing Issues Affecting Hotels and Guesthouses
 
   Business costs: The cost of doing business in Ireland remains a major challenge, with hoteliers citing excessive Local Authority rates as the single most pressing issue stifling cost competitiveness within the sector. This is followed by utility costs (electricity and gas), weak consumer confidence and high labour costs.
 
   Skills shortage: Hoteliers continue to face a significant skills shortage in the sector with 83% of respondents citing difficulties hiring trained workers to fill entry and craft level positions within their businesses over the last 12 months. 
 
-ENDS-
 
FOR INFORMATION:
Weber Shandwick                                           Dublin office: 01 6798600
Eoin Quinn / Natalie Christie                        Mobile: 087 233 2191 / 086 394 7729 
 
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