Brexit: Times they are a changin' . . . and fear is in the air!
THIS YEAR AND NEXT! The number of tourists from Britain to Ireland jumped 13.4% between January and August this year to 2.67 million. It might seem at first glance that the Brexit vote and weakened sterling haven't had much effect - but many of those visitors booked holidays well in advance! When they get around to booking next year's summer trips, Ireland won't look like such a bargain - bad news for hotels and pubs across the country (Ailish O'Hora, Irish Independent,15/10/2016).
THE FEAR FACTOR! Paul Gallagher (Chairman of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation) says “since Brexit, the sterling/euro exchange rate has weakened by 15% making holidays to Ireland more expensive for British tourists. UK visitors account for 40% of all international visitors to Ireland and holidays here are now more expensive due to sterling's weakness (Hospitality Ireland issue 103 October 2016 p.19). Furthermore, Aiden Murphy (of the Crowe Horwath Report) says “[the] future visitor [will have] other more competitive sterling destinations [to choose from]” (Hospitality Ireland issue 103 October 2016 p. 23 & 24).
THE FACTS ARE THESE! On budget day, Patrick O’ Donovan (Minister of State for Tourism and Sport) issued a warning to the industry that there are no extra supports or initiatives to help shield the tourism sector from a negative Brexit impact. He said it is up to the sector itself to ensure it is able to cope with Brexit, stating “the industry itself has to respond to this, it’s not just a one-way street” . . . tourism is probably most susceptible to Brexit . . . (Hospitality Ireland issue 103 October 2016 p.19).
A TROUBLING TURN OF EVENTS! Since June the pound has lost against the euro, and dramatically against the dollar, reaching a 30 year low; furthermore, the irish government’s lack of investment in tourism has left the industry on its own therefore the Irish tourist sector’s ability to sustain growth in 2017 is undoubtedly in peril.
Ok, it’s scary! But, no worries . . . we have the solution for your success in 2017.
Daragh Browne (Sales & Marketing for the K Club Hotel in Co. Kildare) emphasized, “the US market is of great importance to us [all].” (Hospitality Ireland issue 103 October 2016 p. 29 & 30). We couldn't agree more! The independent Irish hotel needs a “champion” to fight for its share of North American holidaymakers.
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HoteliersFriend
Dublin, Ireland
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