Holiday home sector facing a number of challenges

IRELAND'S reputation is a key factor in attracting overseas visitors to the holiday home sector but it faces ongoing challenges following the collapse of demand over recent years, according to one local business owner.

Jacinta Doolan, Director, Trident Holiday Homes in Kilcoole, said: 'Ireland's reputation is slowly being restored internationally. Cost competitiveness, the retention of the nine per cent VAT rate, The Gathering, the abolition of the air travel tax and how Ireland is proactively managing the fiscal crisis are all contributing to a more optimistic outlook.

'Self-catering has seen positive growth in 2013, with 52 per cent of self-catering providers reporting higher visitor volumes. Our own fig- ures reveal bookings are up 28 per cent on last year. The rise in 'staycation' holidays is down to the good weather last year and repeat business is a key factor as well with consumers looking for more cost effective breaks and holidays at home. However, the sector still faces a number of challenges such as uncertainty in key source markets, rising operating costs, public service charges and issues such as rising energy and fuel costs, which impact travel costs.'

Trident Holiday Homes and cottages4you by Wyndham Vacation Rentals have entered into an exclusive partnership that will see Trident Holiday Homes manage call centre services for the new cottages4you.ie website from their offices in Kilcoole.