Hotels need room before reopening

Industry body calls for notice & roadmap

NORTHERN Ireland’s hotels need to be given 17 days’ notice if they are to be ready to reopen, the industry’s trade body has said.

Calling for a roadmap out of the current lockdown, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said more than 2,500 staff will need to be hired if all 143 facilities are to be opened.

Hotels here have been closed since the latest lockdown was announced at the end of 2020 and need clarity around when they will be allowed to reopen, NIHF chief executive Janice

Gault said: “Hotels can offer a real opportunity to maximise the potential of staycations, create new employment and give much needed hope.

“The industry would like to see the sector included in the next review on April 15, so that they can plan effectively and help restore the economy.”

The federation surveyed its members around reopening and said staffing was the biggest worry and, while the process takes time, hotels won’t commence hiring until there is a timeline in place for reopening.

NIHF President Stephen Meldrum said other worries include potential restrictions to trading once given the green light to reopen.

He said the 10.30pm CONCERNS NIHF’S

Stephen Meldrum curfew put in place during the last lockdown resulted in a 30% drop in food and beverage revenue.

Meanwhile, maximum table sizes are also expected to be a challenge, as is the wedding market, a key earner for many hotels, making up 35% of turnover for some.