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Futurist predicts 'Three Chapter Recovery'

Speaking at the Irish Hospitality Institute’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry webinar , futurist Valentina Doorly said the industry has not been confronted with a challenge of such oonaghcremins proportion since WWII. She said recovery will happen in three chapters, with eager travellers making up for lost time as early as summer 2021.

However, with UNTWO predicting a loss of 70% in international travel movements in 2020 and experts fearing it could be another 18-23 months before international travel fully returns, this “could represent a lethal wound to many in the sector,” said Valentina.

The event, which was hosted by the IHI President Oonagh Cremins (pictured), saw a virtual gathering of more than 1000 tourism business leaders and a high-profile panel of experts.

Travel plans disappoint hoteliers

Hotels and guesthouses have expressed their disappointment at details of the revised Covid restrictions announced by the Government today. Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, Irish timfenn Hotels Federation described the decision not to allow inter-county travel until as far out as 18th December as short-sighted. He said: “The failure to allow inter-county travel earlier risks undermining the Government’s objective of achieving a balanced approach that ensures continued public buy-in during the build up to Christmas. We are calling on the Government to reconsider this decision.”

McDonagh forecasts slow recovery

Ireland’s hospitality sector could take up to four years to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, Supermac’s owner Pat McDonagh has warned.

He described the hit to the sector as “unprecedented”, with sales across his Só Hotel brand likely to be down more than 80 per cent this year.

While closer-to-home tourism from the UK and other European countries might resume in the near future, he said it was unlikely the US tourist trade, which underpins much of the sector, would return to pre-pandemic levels for several years.

Mr McDonagh was speaking as his Supermac’s group announced plans for another plaza-style service station.

The proposed €10 million development, adjacent to the Galway-Limerick motorway and the Limerick tunnel, would be similar to existing facilities such as the Barack Obama Plaza in Co Tipperary,The plan is to have a service station and food court – with Supermac’s, Papa John’s Pizza and Bewley’s Coffee brands – plus 12 charging points for electric vehicles.

Brexit threat to 'chippers'

A possible post-Brexit ban on the importation of potatoes from the UK could result in problems for chip sho owners. chips

From 1 January, UK table potatoes and seed potatoes could fall foul of EU food safety rules. When the UK becomes a third country it will be outside the legal framework of the European Union's food safety rules.

Many chip shops, use British potatoes for chips. One of the country's longest established chip shops is now warning that the ban could not only change the taste and type of chips Irish consumers enjoy, but could lead to shortages and changes in portion sizes.

Leo Burdock has said that they use British potatoes because of their unique quality which makes them suitable for frying.

Bergin's Environmental Wake-Up Call

The IHI held its first online Hospitality & Tourism Professionals Day on the 26th mbergin

November 2020 and had 2 Keynote Speakers who delivered a very similar message with respect to our Environment and Sustainability. Unfortunately, the existing world class service providers were casually dismissed during the panel sessions.

Pól Ó Conghaile presented his Big 5mm with Sustainability front and centre,

suggesting that it might be Tourisms Fast Fashion moment and reminded

us that Climate Change has not Gone Away whilst Valentina

Doorly identified 5 Megatrends which include Climate Change and the Climate Crisis.