News

Tourism battered by 'Perfect Storm'

Severe travel restrictions and social distancing are threatening the survival of many parts of the tourism industry, the Oireachtas tourism committee has heard. ruthandrews0720

Industry representatives said the outbreak of Covid-19 created the “perfect storm”, leaving a major gap in Ireland’s economy.

Tourism Recovery Taskforce chairman Ruth Andrews said: “Tourism is the most important indigenous labour-intensive sector in Ireland and generates very substantial export earnings and tax revenues.

“It is woven into the fabric of Irish culture and social life and is of critical importance to regional economies in particular.

“Because tourism is so integrated into the economy and so diverse and overwhelmingly made up of SMEs, it has suffered from a lack of visibility and recognition as an internationally traded service.

Planning confirmed for Cork hostel

Final planning permission has been granted for a 246-bed hostel on Cork’s Grand Parade. hostel

An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead to UK firm Westhill, through an Irish subsidiary Bluescape Limited, to redevelop the former tourist office at 40-42 Grand Parade.

The six-storey development, called Tourist House, will provide 246 hostel bed spaces in 48 rooms and will also include a ground floor bar and a rooftop terrace.

Cork City Council had already granted permission for the development with a condition that the top floor be omitted. This was despite a number of objections to the proposal.

Councillor seeks 'Fungie Fund'

A Kerry Councillor is calling for financial supports and other measures for fishermen and businesses in west Kerry “should Fungie not return”. fungie

The dolphin, missing for more than a week, was the prime means of livelihood for up to 13 families involved in Fungie boat tours in the harbour for more than 30 years. But he was also one of the main attractions bringing people to Dingle and west Kerry in the first place, said Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald, a representative for Corca Dhuibhne.

The supports for the tour operators could come in the form of diversification, perhaps a look at marine craft licences that would encompass whale watching and other marine tourism which could extend beyond the harbour where the dolphin tour boats operate, the councillor said.

A whole industry has been built around the dolphin in the form of publicity, film and documentary, and gifts.

'Map Donalds' highlights farmers

McDonald's has launched a new interactive tool called 'Map My McDonald's' that allows customers to see the origin of the ingredients that are used in its products and which Iris mcdonalds h farmers supply them.

The interactive food map can be found at MapMyMcDonalds.com/map.

The launch of the food map coincides with the launch of a new McDonald's advertising campaign that highlights the ingredients that the fast food chain uses in its products and the 7,000 Irish farmers who supply them.

Head of sustainable and ethical sourcing at McDonald's UK & Ireland Nina Prichard stated, "This has been a challenging year for farmers, so we wanted to shine a light on the incredible work farmers and suppliers do across Ireland to produce the quality ingredients for our best loved menu items. These farmers and suppliers are our most essential ingredient - the local heroes who work tirelessly to deliver quality produce for our delicious menu, day in, day out.

IAG €1.3bn loss in Q3

Aer Lingus owner IAG reported a €1.3 billion loss in the third quarter as coronavirus restrictions continue to depress travel, forcing it to further downgrade its capacity outlook for t aerlingus

he rest of the year.

The airline group, which also operates British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, announced its preliminary results for the three months to the end of September one week earlier than expected.

The €1.3 billion loss was significantly worse than the €920 million analysts' consensus and behind the €1.4 billion of profit it made in the same period last year.

The results were the first to be published under new CEO Luis Gallego who took over from Willie Walsh in early September.