Brexit fears for tourism as UK visitor numbers fall

HOTELIERS and guesthouse owners in Wexford and across the country reported a continued fall in business levels from the UK this summer, according to the results of the latest quarterly barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF).

While business levels overall were up nationally across the summer months, with seven in ten hoteliers (71%) seeing an increase compared to this time last year, most (69%) reported a fall in business from Great Britain with over half (54%) saying Northern Ireland business levels had dropped too. The results of the industry barometer echo the latest CSO figures which show that Brexit is already having a significant impact on Irish tourism. Visitor numbers from Britain have decreased by 7.1% for the first eight months, compared to the same period last year. The UK, Ireland’s largest source of inbound tourists, accounts for over 40% of all visitors, providing the widest regional and seasonal spread. For now, strong performances by the US and domestic markets are helping to offset the significant fall-off in business from the UK. The majority (69%) of hoteliers reported an increase in US business this summer, while almost six in ten (57%) said domestic levels are up. Business levels from these markets look set to remain buoyant for the remainder of the year with many hoteliers (52%) saying advance bookings from the domestic market are up. However, over half (56%) say future bookings from Northern Ireland are down, while nearly two thirds (65%) see a drop in advance bookings from Great Britain. The outlook for industry over the next 12 months remains positive, according to the survey, although hoteliers’ optimism has been dented. Most say the weakened value of sterling is affecting their business and Aidan Quirke, Chair of the IHF’s South East branch says the uncertainty around Brexit poses a threat to the industry, with regional tourism likely to be hit hardest. Tourism currently supports 7,700 jobs in Wexford and contributes some €223m to the local economy annually.