KERRY HOTELIERS SAY BUSINESS IS GOOD

KERRY hoteliers are reporting a busy year with three quarters saying business is up on last year.

The strong performance for domestic tourism looks set to continue into the busy summer season. Over two thirds of Kerry hoteliers say bookings are up while six in ten report that advance bookings for staycations for the remainder of 2017 are up too.

While the year has gotten off to a positive start Chair of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Patrick O’Donoghue cautioned that Brexit is having an impact.

“Visitor numbers are up, which is good news and the growth in domestic tourism is particularly encouraging as it extends beyond the traditional tourism hot spots and its impact on local economies can be felt more widely,” he said.

“However, the latest CSO figures show a continued fall in UK visitors, our biggest market nationally, which illustrates the fragility of the tourism recovery in Kerry,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

“Many of the consequences of Brexit are largely outside our control, so it is imperative that we mitigate the risks and potential damage where we do have some control over our destiny,” he said.

Mr O’Donoghue said measures such as the zero rate travel tax and nine per cent tourism VAT rate have helped ensure Ireland remains competitive helped by successful marketing initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way.

“We must also continue to invest in product development and marketing. Enormous strides have already been made in the development of our products and brands including the Wild Atlantic Way, for example. However, the recovery has not been felt to the same extent throughout the county,” said Mr O’Donoghue.