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IHI Award Nominations Open

Nominations have opened for the IHI Hospitality Management Awards.

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The 2016 Founders Banquet & Hospitality Management Awards was a huge success and 2017’s is set to exceed all expectations.

An additional Award has been added this year – IHI Hospitality Employee of the Year, which is applicable to all levels of Hospitality Professionals who have delivered exceptional service in their career.

Please visit www.ihi.ie for nomimnation details

Apartments move to short stay

As the branded serviced apartment sector becomes increasingly crowded some operators are moving away from the original extended-stay concept by embracing short-stay guests and adding a variety of facilities to their offer, according to a new report published this week by global hotel consultancy HVS.

According to the report the majority of pipeline openings are in the UK (41%), with Germany accounting for 32%. In the UK London remains the top spot, with Manchester and Edinburgh also popular, along with Dublin in Ireland.

Having surveyed the concepts and plans of 17 key serviced apartment providers, the report reveals there are 10,000 units currently in the pipeline across Europe, of which 37% will open by the end of 2017.

9% VAT Under Threat

The Government is considering the phasing out of the concessionary 9% VAT rate on tourism services, the 'Irish Times' reports today.

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According to the report, pressure to phase out the special 9 per cent VAT rate for the hospitality industry is building within the Department of Finance.

The lower VAT rate introduced during the economic crisis has “done its job” and increasing it would raise €500 million, the Department of Finance has advised the new Minister, Paschal Donohoe (pictured).

The 9 per cent rate for special tourism-related activities, such as restaurants, hotels, cinemas and other areas, was introduced in 2011 to encourage growth and employment in the sector.

Hospitality industry groups have consistently lobbied for its retention but the Department of Finance argues a return to the 13.5 per cent rate would yield €500 million per annum.

A briefing note prepared for Mr Donohoe says the lower rate was “initially introduced on a temporary basis to give a boost” to the hospitality sector and was retained in the last budget because of concerns that Brexit could impact on tourism.

EFQM for Glenview

The Glenview Hotel and Leisure Club, Wicklow has been awarded the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Award and becomes only the third company in

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Ireland to reach the internationally recognised business excellence model’s Recognised for Excellence Four Star Standard. EFQM provides a framework for companies seeking to deliver added value to their customers while improving their overall operational and business performance.

Celebrating staff are pictured with Minister for Health and local TD Simon Harris.and Dr. Tony Lenehan (EFQM).

McDonalds Cuts Office Staff

A number of employees in McDonalds Ireland corporate function have been cut in an project to reduce the cost of running the business worldwide.

Staff at the fast food industry's office in Clonskeagh, Dublin, were notified of the risk of redundancy of their roles in March of this year at a group head office meeting, according to a source close to the matter.

Through a series of redundancy consultation emails and meetings following the initial announcement, a number of employees were informed that their existing positions were "being removed from the structure".

It is believed that an original team in head office of around 40 - has been reduced to just six people.