News

Dublin hotels face difficult Summer

Figures circulated within the industry by data research company STR illustrate the dearth of bookings in the capital. Earlier this week fewer than one in four hotel rooms were due dublin0120

to be occupied this weekend among a sample of more than 40 city hotels.

Internal industry figures indicate that Dublin city centre hotels are facing a difficult summer, with average occupancy levels of only about 13 per cent forecast for the height of summer based on current bookings.

This contrasts with hotels in many areas outside the capital which have seen a surge in bookings since the sector reopened on June 2nd and domestic tourism resumed.

Hoteliers and their representatives have criticised the decision this week by the Government to impose tough quarantine measures even on vaccinated travellers from Britain in their efforts to slow down the more transmissible delta virus variant, which originated in India.

Fooditude arrives in Ireland

Sodexo Ireland is poised to ‘stir up’ corporate food services with the launch of Fooditude and the opening of a new cloud kitchen in Dublin.

Pictured is Dean Kennett, co-owner of Fooditude.

In December 2020 Sodexo acquired a majority shareholding in Fooditude, one of London’s leading names in ‘delivered-in’ workplace catering. Fooditude has been operating since 2005, with household name clients that include Netflix and Pinterest.

The arrival of Fooditude is an important step as Sodexo grows new digital-enabled and consumer-focused food services to support its mission to keep its clients’ employees happy, healthy, and well-fed.

As organisations move towards hybrid working models, they are looking for more flexible and cost-effective support services. Fooditude, with its track record in fresh, fun, on-trend menu options, allows organisations to offer food as a benefit to entice employees back to workplaces, supporting the role of the office as space for collaboration and connection, and building employee productivity, health, and wellbeing.

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RAI in High Court Challenge

The Restaurants Association of Ireland and some individual members of the group have applied to the High Court seeking leave to challenge distinctions made between indoor cummins0120

dining in non-hotel commercial restaurants and indoor dining within hotels.

The challenge relates to recent regulations signed by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and claims the distinction drawn should be quashed on the basis of “irrationality, lack of proportionality and unjustifiable interference” with restaurateurs’ property and economic rights.

Hackett Heads ITAA

Paul Hackett, Managing Director of Click&Go, has officially been confirmed as President of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) at the Association’s AGM, which took place hackett0621 virtually today via Video Conference Call.

Paul has over thirty years of experience working in the travel sector and has served as an ITAA Board Member since 2017. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in Ireland, He has been instrumental in lobbying for the travel industry, presenting on behalf of the ITAA, with the CEO Pat Dawson, at three Joint Oireachtas Committee meetings over the last fifteen months. These meetings were critical for the ITAA, earning good cross-party and public support for the Irish travel industry which continues to this day.

Wilder joins SLH Group

The Wilder, Townhouses in Dublin has joined Small Luxury Hotels, whose members include 520 of the world's most luxurious hotels. wilder

Small Luxury Hotels seek out hotels and experiences that have individual character and creativity. The Wilder Townhouse has been recognised for the time and effort that they put into their uniqueness, their high standards and most importantly their guest experience.

This Victorian townhouse, steeped in history and lovingly restored with its modern design, offers a luxurious experience for every guest coming through its welcoming doors, in its impressive city-centre property. Step into The Wilder’s dramatic red brick façade and you’ll find a bold yet warm and cosy interior, brimming full of character, light and colour. There are 42 rooms, including four suites, spread generously over three floors, furnished with all the latest amenities and walk-in rainforest showers.