26.05.2015

IHF STATEMENT ON POTENTIAL SALE OF AER LINGUS STAKE BY GOVERNMENT

Hoteliers welcome increased commitments by IAG

 

Tuesday, 26th May 2015: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) welcomes the additional guarantees secured by the Government from IAG in advance of a potential sale of the State’s stake in Aer Lingus. Stephen McNally, IHF President, states that the commitment in relation to Aer Lingus’ Heathrow slots is a significant development that will provide greater certainty for routes into Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

 

Mr McNally says: “Maintaining strong levels of connectivity with our international markets is of vital importance to Irish tourism and the wider economy. We therefore welcome the guarantees given today by IAG and its commitment to continue service levels from Shannon and Cork airports, which provide crucial tourism and business links directly into the South and West of Ireland.”

 

Mr McNally states that Irish tourism offers enormous growth potential over the next decade with overseas visitors projected to grow from 7.3 million in 2014 to 10 million per annum by 2025. Given the unique challenges Ireland faces as an island destination, future tourism growth is inextricably linked to the provision of high-quality air access and connectivity with the country’s key overseas markets.

 

“Subject to the sale going through, we look forward to working closely with IAG to maximise all opportunities to grow passenger numbers into Ireland,” says Mr McNally. “In particular we welcome plans to use Dublin as a gateway for trans-Atlantic services and the potential for wider connectivity into Irish airports through London Heathrow.”

 

Mr McNally also welcomed IAG’s plans to maintain the service into Knock from London Gatwick and to actively work with Ireland West Airport Knock to explore growth opportunities available as part of IAG.

 

Tourism background

  • Tourism is one of Ireland’s largest indigenous industries and provides almost 205,000 jobs – equivalent to 11 per cent of total employment in the country.
  • Since 2011, over 33,000 new jobs have been created by tourism and hospitality. Employment in the sector is projected to reach 250,000 by 2025.
  • Irish tourism accounts for almost 4 per cent of gross national product and brings in €5 billion in foreign exchange earnings annually.
  • With 54,000 people directly employed by hotels and guesthouses across every county and town, the hotels sector is playing a critical role in contributing to recovery in the tourism industry and the wider economy.

 

ENDS

 

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eoin Quinn                                          Tel: +353 (0) 1 6798600   

Weber Shandwick PR                     Mob: +353 (0) 87 233 2191

 

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