Hotels and guesthouses across the country are facing a loss in revenue of up to €270 million over the Christmas period due to Government restrictions. Commenting on reports that people will not be allowed to travel outside their county for much of December, Tim Fenn, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation says that this will have a devastating impact on hotels throughout the country, severely limiting their ability to trade. Only a very small proportion of hotel accommodation in December is from within the same county.

“It is clear that December and Christmas will be very different this year. But the Government must take a more balanced approach to allowing people travel outside their county to visit family. Hotels can be an important part of the solution in facilitating this by providing very safe, highly-controlled, spacious environments for people stay independent of the home setting. We have a proven safety record and urge the Government to recognise the role we can play in ensuring a safer Christmas.”