Public contracts to secure hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, particularly in rural Ireland, are a concern for the outlook for Ireland’s tourism industry this year.
A new current situation study conducted by Forte Ireland, Ireland’s national tourism authority, has found that lack of availability and associated price hikes are among the concerns in the sector.
Approximately 13 percent of the tourist accommodations registered with the association are currently under public contracts, most of which are intended for the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants. This is even higher when unregistered bed space is taken into account.
A January survey of more than 1,200 tourism businesses showed tourist numbers were up from a year earlier, pointing to a recovery period in 2023, but this dampens the mood ahead of the upcoming tourist season. There are many.
Community concerns about the use of hotels as accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers (most recently the D Hotel in Drogheda, Colo.) have raised concerns about the use of hotels as accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, most recently the D Hotel in Drogheda, Colorado. reflected in the atmosphere. One in four survey respondents cited public contracts as a concern in 2024.
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Forte Ireland said the proportion of affected hotels had remained “more or less stable” in recent months, but there was little sign of a return to the tourism economy this year.
“We completely understand why they are needed and it is important that we welcome people who need international protection. [and those] These are people fleeing war in Ukraine and elsewhere,” CEO Paul Kelly said.
“But from a tourism perspective, I think we’re just warning of the impact it will have on the tourism economy.”
The number of hotels used as publicly contracted accommodation is also unevenly distributed, with some counties having a higher proportion than others.
Kelly said he was unaware of any other event that had “such a dramatic impact” on hotel capacity.
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“We know that the government is working hard to move to alternative solutions and develop welcome and reception centres. From a tourism perspective, we want the work to progress as quickly as possible. I’m here.”
The survey, due to be published on Wednesday, gives more prominence to other industry concerns, including rising costs, falling disposable income, traveling abroad during the Irish holidays, as well as the prospect of staff shortages and bad weather. ing.
He pointed to a number of positive points last year, including an increase in visitor numbers in most industries, including hotels. Sales volumes improved in all regions.
3 out of 5 companies increased, with 61% of them specifically in the North American market. Almost half (44%) expect visitor numbers to increase again this year.
However, Fáilte Ireland found “significant” variation across sectors. While travel companies, hotels and tourist attractions have benefited greatly from the increase in visitor numbers, the experience of the food and beverage sector is that ‘many are struggling to survive in 2023 and it could not be more different. ”. A similar situation is expected this year.
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Most hotels remain profitable but are under pressure to increase profits due to rising costs of doing business, the survey warns.
Other concerns outlined by respondents included the possibility of consumers moving to other countries as a result of costs in Ireland, while in Dublin almost half (42%) cited anti-social behavior .
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North America continues to play an important role in domestic tourism, and there are political concerns over the coming year. Operators said they were “a little nervous about what will happen.” [US] It could be held during an election year as it is said to have an impact on travel from the US. ”
Forte Ireland said, in line with other barometers, rising costs continue to be the “most significant challenge”. Many people are already under pressure from rising energy, rates and insurance costs, and now minimum wage increases are a new source of concern.
“It’s good that most companies are predicting further growth, but the picture is more complex,” Kelly said.
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