LOUTH HOTELIERS UPBEAT WITH INCREASE IN BUSINESS LEVELS

LOUTH hoteliers are upbeat for the 2018 year ahead as 70% are reporting an increase in business levels compared to this time last year.

Forward bookings for America and continental Europe are up but Northern Ireland and Great Britain continue to fall, according to an industry survey undertaken by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) in advance of its 80th Annual Conference which took place recently in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan.

Hotel and guesthouse owners in Louth and across the country are reporting a good start to the year according to the survey.

However, many do have significant concerns regarding the negative impact of Brexit.

Most are forecasting an increase in business levels for 2018 with advance bookings up from domestic and key overseas markets, helping to offset the drop in bookings from the UK, Ireland’s largest market, where visitor numbers continue to fall. The high cost of doing business, including insurance, continues to be a major concern.

Seven in ten (72%) hoteliers say their overall business levels are up compared to this time last year, with a similar number (68%) reporting an increase in advance bookings for the remainder of the year.