News

Hotel bookings plunge as Summer ends

The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation reveals the enormous challenges facing hotels and guesthouses as demand continues to plummet as a result of the elaina Covid crisis. An estimated 100,000 of the sector's 270,000 jobs jobs have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are now at imminent risk in the coming weeks.

With the summer season finished, hotels and guesthouses are now reporting a 70% drop in projected revenues for September compared to this time last year. Bookings for September/October have plunged with average room occupancy levels at 24% nationally, compared to 86% for same period last year. This follows a very challenging July and August with average national occupancy at 49%, representing an enormous drop compared the 90% occupancy achieved during these key summer months last year.

Breakdown of occupancy results for September/October 2020: is National room occupancy: 24%, Dublin City and County: 12%, Other Cities: 24%, Rest of Country (excluding cities): 30%

Commenting on the results, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, President of the Irish Hotels Federation (pictured), said that the figures highlight the requirement for further sector specific measures to support Irish tourism.

Dublin to charge for Airport drop-offs

Airport operator DAA is seeking planning permission to install a new paid drop-off and pick-up zone at Dublin Airport, in an effort to reduce car journeys to and from the facility dublinapt0320 and stop private drivers picking up passengers outside terminals.

The proposed new paid drop-off and pick-up zones, which will have to be approved by Fingal County Council, will operate in front of terminal one and terminal two, and will not be introduced during the Covid-19 crisis.

Under the plans, DAA will change the internal road layout and install new lanes and barriers at the main airport exit.

Currently, private cars are permitted to drop off in front of both terminals at Dublin Airport, but no private vehicle pick up is permitted. A spokesman for DAA said the current system has been “abused” by some for years, with cars illegally stopping to wait for pick-ups or circling the campus roads several times before they collect a person.

Pandemic hits Cork Airport

Thousands of Irish tourism jobs are at risk unless the Government adopts new aviation and travel policies within weeks, an airport management team has warned. corkairport

The message came from management at Cork Airport where the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its operations was laid bare during a behind-closed-doors briefing for tourism leaders.

The board of Visit Cork was told that passenger numbers at the State's second largest airport have plunged by over 95% during the pandemic, leading to a catastrophic impact on its finances.

Management said urgent State support is required to keep the airport in business as it faces operating losses of over €20m after depreciation.

Aquarium for Belfast

Belfast City Council has approved plans for the construction of a £12 million aquarium in Belfast.

The proposed aquarium will be located on Queen's Road in Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

The firm behind the venue, ReefLive, hopes that it will attract 300,000 visitors per year.

The Belfast Telegraph quotes ReefLive managing director Keith Thomas as saying, "We are thrilled with Belfast City Council's decision to approve our aquarium, which has received a tremendous amount of public support since its original announcement last year.

Tax Break to help Holiday Breaks

A new scheme to help drive sales in the off-season in the hospitality has been launched . spend

The Stay and Spend scheme will enable people to claim back 20% from their bill, up to a maximum of €125 per person (or €250 for a married couple) in an income tax rebate to those who spend up to €625 (or €1,250 for married couples) in restaurants, pubs, hotels, B&Bs and other qualifying businesses.

It will operate from autumn of this year to spring of next year, and includes the Christmas period.

Catherine Martin, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, is encouraging people to support their local coffee shops, restaurants and hotels while they avail of the scheme.

Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, she said people spending between €25 euro and €625 can get money back by submitting their receipts to the Revenue Receipts Tracker app.