In an open letter signed by 486 trade associations and businesses including bars, restaurants and hotels, the industry called on the Government to give them an opportunity to reopen in December in a planned and sustained manner.

"Businesses in the hospitality and experience sector are regulated environments and have proven to be responsible players throughout the crisis," the letter states.

"These businesses, if allowed to reopen, will play their part in maintaining strict Covid-19 measures, as we saw when they were given the opportunity to open earlier this year."

The letter is also signed by industry bodies including the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland and warns that if regulated hospitality venues remain closed, people will be driven to unregulated environments and households, where Covid-19 measures may be ignored.

He outlined a broad series of measures required to help the sector and was also critical of certain aspects of government communications during the pandemic, particularly the apparent leak in early October about the need for a new lockdown.

Jim Murphy said he understood the reasons for the move to Level 5 restrictions, but said the "leaking of advice given by Nphet to the Government caused dreadful stress for both customers and staff. It was extremely damaging for our business: weddings which were due to take place with food already prepped and bought perished; international conferences were cancelled and our corporate business simply dried up overnight".

He said it was imperative that sufficient notice be given to businesses about such changes.

In his letter Jim Murphy said that "a staggering and unprecedented" number of hospitality- and tourism-related jobs were in danger.

 

Tourism Ireland is calling on tourism companies around Ireland to get involved in its new 'Christmas Countdown 2020' campaign. The campaign aims to ensure that the island of Ireland remains ‘top of mind’ among prospective overseas visitors over the coming festive season, until the time is right for them to visit again.

Tourism companies around Ireland are invited to take part in the campaign, by sharing:Christmas or seasonal content, which will feature in Tourism Ireland’s extensive social media activity on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter during December, using the hashtag #ChristmasInIreland;, a fun Christmas ‘selfie’, to feature in a short video, which will be shared with international travel trade contacts – wishing them a Happy Christmas from everyone in the tourism industry on the island of Ireland; and / or

a special or unique Christmas story; Tourism Ireland will share great seasonal stories from Ireland with its database of influential travel and lifestyle journalists around the world.