News

Vaccine will influence return to travel

Holidaymakers are still planning and dreaming of their next trip. Personal indulgence and a treat after the difficult lockdown period are driving motivations to travel, according to visitors1020

new research commissioned by Tourism Ireland..

Lower rates of COVID-19 and a vaccine will be the most influential factors to encourage travel over the coming months. However, clear comprehensive insurance, high quality available healthcare and testing will also be important.

November saw the lowest levels of comfort among holidaymakers about taking a European trip, since the programme of research began. This corresponds with significantly increased levels of COVID-19 in each market at the time of the research.

The island of Ireland is considered one of the most comfortable destinations for a short break or holiday during social distancing. Comfort levels have reduced, however, for both the island of Ireland and for other competitor destinations.

Summer 2021 is most commonly seen as the next window to take a break in Europe.

Plans deferred as hotel building stalls

Many of the new hotels that were in the planning system before the pandemic hit are now considered “unfeasible” and may never be built, according to one of the country’s top dhardrock0220 commercial property agencies.

The overall hotel market has “stalled”, the webinar heard. Just one new hotel has opened this year, the Hard Rock in Dublin (pictured), which opened in February on the same week that the first known coronavirus infection was confirmed in Ireland.

There have been just five sale transactions this year, worth a total of €124 million, about €35 million of which is sale agreed, as international investors that have traditionally been active in the Irish market adopt a wait-and-see approach. Last year there were 20 hotel transactions, worth €583 million.

Isobel Horan, a divisional director with Cushman & Wakefield, told a hotel industry online event on Monday that the agency was aware some developers of hotels were beginning to “look at other options” for sites that were previously earmarked for hotel development.

Supermacs plans Limerick Plaza

Supermac's is planning to create 100 new jobs with the construction of a new motorway service plaza on the outskirts of Limerick city.

The development will involve a €10m investment. A planning application is to be made in the coming week. plaza

If permission is received, then it will take up to a year for the plaza to be built.

The group, run by businessman Pat McDonagh, also has an application in for a similar facility in Ennis, Co Clare.

In recent months the company has also opened a new service station in Portlaoise, Co Laois as well as a new franchise, with the McKeown family, in Kells in Co Meath in October.

The various developments mean an investment of €30m will have been made by the group since the start of the year, with the creation of 400 jobs.

Wilder to welcome 'Frontline Heroes'

The Wilder Townhouse in Dublin is offering'Thank You' breaks to 'Frontline Heroes' wilder

The Wilder will be hosting the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway on their Instagram and Facebook page, from December 1st. They are calling on their followers and the public to nominate those front-line heroes in their life that have worked tirelessly in 2020 and deserve a pick me up. They will be in with a chance of winning one of the 12 Wilder ‘Winter Escape’ packages that are on offer.

Barry Francis, General Manager of The Wilder Townhouse said “It has been an incredibly challenging and turbulent year for us all. Christmas is a time for people to come together and show our appreciation to one another, so I am delighted to have the opportunity to thank all our front-line heroes and emergency services for their heroism and what they have done for us this year. I hope that winning a night away here at The Wilder Townhouse may give them something to look forward to and enjoy with a loved one when they can.”

'Winter Garden' at Morrrison

The Winter Garden, an al fresco wonderland, will open at The Morrison, Ormond Quay from Friday the 4th, December. With a pre-booked reservation, guests can enjoy the best of morrisongarden food and drinks,surrounded by festive décor and twinkling lights on a cosy, heated terrace.

The Morrison can welcome resident guests from Wednesday 2nd December, and non-resident guests from Friday, 4th December, all of whom have the option of dining indoors or al fresco!

The Festive Fancy Pants Afternoon Tea is back too! Available 12 to 6pm. There’s delicious finger sandwiches and dainty cakes, served up with your choice of tea or coffee, or indulge with Prosecco, Champagne or a Christmas Cocktail. Priced from €30 per person.