Hotels welcome booking boost and return of guests

AS HOTELS and guesthouses re-opened this week a survey of hoteliers has shown an increase in bookings for the summer since the government announced the re-opening date. The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) shows booking levels nationally now average 31% for July and 27% for August – the key summer months. This compares to levels of 23% and 21% respectively just ahead of the announcement.

But in the Border region, of which Sligo is part, the average level of bookings is higher at 26% for June, 40% for July and 37% for August. Michael Yates, chair of the SligoLeitrim-Roscommon branch of the IHF, said this week: “The increase in bookings in the past fortnight has been a welcome morale boost to our members and the thousands of people employed in Irish hotels.

“The domestic market was a real positive last year and we expect home holidays to be very important for the sector again this year.”

Mr Yates, who is general manager of the Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone, said there is excellent value available.

“Guests should shop around and contact hotels directly to find out what special offers are available, including mid-week specials for those whose dates are flexible,” he said. But he is calling on the government to facilitate the return of vaccinated overseas travellers quickly to give a clear sign to overseas markets too that Ireland is open for business again, similar to reopening announcements in other European countries such as Greece, Portugal and Malta.

While hotels and guesthouses are not banking on significant overseas visitors this year, Mr Yates is calling on the government to implement the EU Covid-19 Travel Certificate, expected to be approved by the EU next month, as quickly as possible. “This would send a very clear signal that Ireland is reopening for tourism when it is safe to travel and will facilitate the necessary lead times for planning holidays and business travel. As an island nation international tourism is critically important, accounting for over 70% of tourism revenue pre-COVID.”

He also welcomed the agreement reached by EU member states last week to allow fully vaccinated visitors from outside the EU to enter the bloc this summer for holidays.

He called on the government to implement the agreement at the earliest opportunity, which would allow vaccinated travellers from other key markets such as the US, who typically travel in the autumn.

“This would be very important in extending the season for many Irish tourism businesses,” he said. Mr Yates also called for a firm commitment from government on business and employment supports for the sector into 2022.

“The summer months are very important and the uplift we are seeing in booking levels is a clear indicator that the recovery of Irish tourism is underway.

“However, overall, a slow recovery is still expected in 2021. Our industry has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and with some level of restrictions likely for some time to come, tourism recovery is not going to begin in earnest until 2022.”

He said the hotel and guesthouse sector is a vital part of tourism infrastructure.

He said more than 65,000 people across Ireland were employed in the sector before Covid-19 restrictions. “Hotels, including here in Sligo and Leitrim, are focused on restoring these livelihoods as quickly as possible.

“While employment and business supports to date have been very welcome, it is essential that the government provides greater clarity and certainty now around supports into 2022 and beyond so businesses can plan properly,” he said.