Cork hotels concerned about Brexit

40% OF OVERSEAS VISITORS TO IRELAND STEM FROM UK

HOTELS and guesthouses in the Rebel county are “concerned” about the impact which Brexit will have on their business over the next year. That is according to the latest barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation.

The UK is Ireland’s source of inbound tourists, which account for over 40% of overseas visitors to the country. The economic uncertainty surrounding the UK’s relationship with the UE has fuelled concerns among 95% of hoteliers nationally, highlighting the ongoing risks to Cork tourism from external events.

Some nine of 10 hoteliers report that business levels are up compared to the same period last year, while British visitor numbers are up 16%. Of those hotels catering for business events, 60% are seeing an increase in this area of their business compared with last year.

Aaron Mansworth, Chair of the Cork Branch of the IHF notes that tourism now supports 19,000 jobs in Cork and contributes some €600m to the local economy annually. He cautions, however, that the continued recovery in the sector cannot be taken for granted and that the local tourism industry remained vulnerable to external economic shocks beyond its control, such as the UK decision to leave the EU.

He said: “The concerns expressed by Cork hoteliers following the UK’s referendum result reflect the significant risks posed to the sector, with many hotels and guesthouses still in recovery mode.”

“This comes at a time when the increasing cost of doing business in Ireland already poses a serious challenge for tourism businesses. While it is too early to predict the full effect that the decision will have on Cork tourism, there can be no room for complacency, particularly given the potential impact on visitor numbers from the UK and business levels within the domestic market,” he said.

He acknowledged the significant strides being made in developing Ireland’s tourism product, including Ireland’s Ancient East trail, which takes in local attractions such as Blarney Castle, and the Wild Atlantic Way, which is proving to be an enormous draw.

He said: “Increased investment in product development and marketing is vital to the longterm success of our tourism product.

“Time and time again, Irish tourism has shown itself to be an excellent investment with every euro spent in destination marketing by the state resulting in €34 being spent by visitors in the country. “Now is not the time to take this investment for granted, particularly given the uncertainty around Brexit and the potential impact on visitor numbers to Cork from the UK.”