News

Group meets as Brexit looms

Brexit remains a major concern among tourism businesses according to Fáilte Ireland. With eight days to go before the UK formally leaves the EU on January 31st, the National brexit0120

Tourism Development Authority convened a meeting of its Industry Brexit Advisory Group at its headquarters in Dublin.

The Group was established by Fáilte Ireland in 2017 to help prepare the industry to be Brexit-ready. CEOs and senior representatives from businesses and organisations working across the tourism industry gathered to discuss their concerns and plan the next steps in dealing with the impact of Brexit on the tourism sector.

“The meeting of the Brexit Advisory Group focused on the impact that Brexit is having now on the tourism industry and on our shared and agreed plans for 2020,” stated Jenny De Saulles, Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Sector Development.

Hong Kong flights to resume

Cathay Pacific will resume Dublin-Hong Kong flights at the end of March, the airline confirmed. cathay

Cathay shelved the service in November after fierce pro-democracy protests sent the number of people travelling to the island tumbling by 40 per cent in August.

The airline said on Thursday that the four-times a-week service from Dublin to Hong Kong would resume on March 28th.

In a bid to boost interest in the service, Cathay will begin a “flash sale” offering cut-price fares from the Republic’s capital to various Asian and Australian destinations from Friday.

Launched in June 2018, Cathay’s was the first direct service from the Republic to any part of China.

Cvent partners HSMAI

Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider has announced its partnership with HSMAI (the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International) Region Europe. Through the two-year partnership, Cvent will provide its world-class solutions to power more than 75 small and big events organised by the Association in Europe. The bigger HSMAI events include the HSMAI Meeting and Event Exchange and their Awards at Scandic Fornebu Hotel in Norway, and the Annual HSMAI Europe ROC and their HSMAI Awards; this year at The Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday 28th January.

HSMAI Region Europe will utilise Cvent’s comprehensive technology platform including:

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Green Light for Fallon and Byrne

Food hall, wine bar and restaurant group Fallon & Byrne has secured planning permission for a large extension at its flagship store in Dublin. fallon0120

An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead for construction across three floors at the company’s Exchequer Street site one month ahead of schedule.

The plan includes a new outdoor terrace on the second floor. Consultants for Fallon & Byrne told Dublin City Council that the business required increased space to further develop and prosper.

The plan had stalled after the owner of the adjoining block, Burlington Real Estate Ltd, lodged an appeal against the Dublin City Council decision giving the project permission last September.

An Bord Pleanála’s decision comes just weeks after the closure of Fallon & Byrne’s loss-making outlet in Rathmines, Dublin 6.

Airport growth is Europe's fastest

Dublin is the fastest-growing major airport in western Europe, according to a new analysis for airport operator DAA. t20118

The economic impact report by consultancy firm InterVistas found that the volume and range of connections at Dublin Airport grew by 59pc in five years.

That rate of growth is surpassed among major European airports only at Sheremetyevo, one of Moscow's four international airports, on 67pc. Rates of growth over the same period among western European airports trend lower, including 22pc at London Heathrow, 24pc at Frankfurt, 27pc at Paris Charles de Gaulle and 42pc at Amsterdam.