Hoteliersfear Brexitcould hampergrowth
WICKLOW hoteliers have welcomed the continuing growth in visitors to Ireland as recorded in the latest CSO figures which show a 9.8 per cent increase in trips to the Ireland by overseas visitors between May-July of this year.
Wicklow member of the Irish Hotels Federation believed that this growth is very positive for the sector, helping to sustain local employment.
However, they caution that the effect of Brexit and the weakness in sterling need to be monitored so that the sector can plan for potential negative impact.
Gerard O’Brien, of the Woodenbridge Hotel, Chair of the Wicklow Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, believes that the growth in visitors has delivered a major boost to Irish tourism, building on last year’s performance. The latest figures show visitor numbers from North America up 13.3 per cent while Britain is recording an increase of 8.6 per cent and the rest of Europe is up 10 per cent.
‘ There has been a real sense of optimism in Wicklow this summer season, as we have seen more visitors on the ground. However, Brexit is a significant concern with Sterling having fallen by more than 16 per cent against the Euro compared to this time last year. This could have a negative knock-on effect for our local tourism industry,’ says Mr O’Brien.
He adds that the tourism industry continues to provide economic growth and vital employment opportunities in Wicklow thanks to a number of direct actions from the Government, including the zero rate travel tax and the 9 per cent tourism VAT rate.
‘ The 9 per cent VAT rate in particular has been of major significance to the industry. This has brought our VAT rate into line with other European destinations and helped level the playing field for tourism businesses to compete for visitors. This has led to increased visitor numbers and also allowed tourism business in Wicklow to create additional employment whilst reinvesting revenues in the sector. Tourism is now a major contributor to our economy, generating €115 million in Wicklow and supporting 10,400 jobs,’ he says.
He states that, in addition to the increase in overseas tourism, it is heartening to see that national tourism efforts to reignite the domestic tourism sector are having an effect.
Mr O’Brien says that Wicklow hotels and guesthouses are witnessing increased business from Irish holidaymakers as growing numbers of people take advantage of the good value available but cautions, however, that growth in hotel revenues in Wicklow are coming from a low base following the downturn and that many hotels and guesthouses in rural areas continue to face significant challenges. BRAY’S Nathan O’Sullivan has secured one of the top marks in the country in the Diploma for Accounting Technicians programme this year.
Accounting Technicians Ireland’s qualification is recognised as the fastest pathway to a professional accounting career.
Nathan made the decision to pursue a career in accountancy on his return from Australia, where he worked in the construction industry.
The former sales and advertising employee chose the ATI course at his local college at Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) after a lot of deliberation.
‘ The Accountancy Technicians Ireland course in Bray seemed the most accessible entry point for me and I found it to be very professionally organised with highly-talented teachers,’ he said.
‘ The range of subjects and progression over the two years has given me a good base understanding of accounting and business practices to take me further in my studies.’
The Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification is a passport to a rewarding career in accountancy or business. With flexible courses nationwide, you can obtain this professional qualification in as little as two years.
ATI’s qualifications, offered full or part-time in IT will be time for tea for a number of Wicklow shoppers this Saturday as Tesco stores around the county throw a Communit-Tea party.
The event is being held to celebrate donating over €80,000 to good causes across the country and all those who have benefited from the community fund to date – including schools, sports clubs, animal shelters and other charities – are being invited to come along to their nearest store on Saturday, September 17, from noon to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in getting involved is also welcome to come along for a cuppa and highlight their good cause.
The €80,000 donated through Tesco’s six Co Wicklow stores (in Wicklow town, Kilcoole, Arklow, Greystones and two branches in Bray) have helped 144 locla projects since the community fund was launched in 2014. over 70 colleges throughout the island, are open to school and college leavers, mature students and others involved in the industry.
‘We are extremely proud of the positive impact our community fund has had to date,’ said Christine Heffernan from Tesco. ‘Our customers are the driving force behind the initiative, deciding who in their community deserves a little help, and that’s why it works. So we would urge everyone to keep this going and nominate a cause that could do with a little boost or that simply deserves some recognition for the great service it provides to the local area.’
Tesco is launching a new online nomination system for the community fund. Online nominations will go live this Saturday, coinciding with the Communi-Tea party.