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Tourism struggles to recruit staff

Employers in the tourism sector have expressed concern about stress levels and negative impact on customer experience as almost nine out of 10 admit difficulties in recruiting hotelstaff2

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The results of a survey carried out by Fáilte Ireland, showed 20% believed the impact of staff shortages would be the closure of their business.

It also found that seven out of 10 owners have had difficulty in rehiring staff they had let go due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The survey of almost 600 employers, including almost 140 hotels, shows a large majority of businesses in the tourism sector are experiencing major recruitment challenges.

They claim the most significant barrier to hiring staff is the Pandemic Unemployment Payment with two-thirds of employers claiming people were reluctant to return to work and now had higher wage expectations.

Tourism businesses also pointed out that many international workers had left Ireland, while there is also a perception that jobs in the industry are unstable.

DIGI seeks drinks tax cut

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland is calling on the Government to lower Ireland's excise tax rate by 7.5% as they predict 40,000 fewer hospitality jobs in 2022. drinks

According to their research, the drinks and hospitality industry will employ 140,000 people in 2022, down from 180,000 in the final three months of 2019, despite ongoing economic recovery.

The analysis, based on estimates from the latest industry employment report, shows that among the 40,000 fewer jobs are an estimated 12,700 15–24-year-olds and almost 22,000 women.

DIGI says that people swapping staycations for overseas travel, consumer reluctance and the overall weaker demand for national and international travel means some Irish pubs, restaurants and hotels will not recover to their pre-pandemic levels next year.

Industry will welcome extra holiday

The hospitality sector will welcome the extra Public Holiday this year as an opportunity to prromote short breaks. visitors

Government plans for the extra bank holiday are at an advanced stage.

The holiday will recognise the work of frontline workers and will also remember those who died during the pandemic.

While the extra holiday could come by November, government sources have said no date has been agreed and that it could be extended out to the spring of next year.

An official announcement on the date is expected to be made next month.

Hotel Insurance Challenge Dismissed

The High Court has dismissed a Co Meath hotel’s challenge against insurer Zurich refusal to pay out on a claim for business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. headfordarms

The action was brought by the four-star Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells Co Meath, which claimed it entered into a policy of insurance with Zurich in October 2019.

Zurich opposed the action, and said the policy taken out by the 260 bedroomed hotel did not cover a claim for business disruption caused by the pandemic.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Denis McDonald said he was satisfied the claim made by the hotel did not fall within the ambit of the cover available under the Zurich policy.

Hotel Quarantine Ends

The Department of Health has announced the removal of all remaining countries from the Mandatory Hotel Quarantine register. crowneplaza0921

The decision comes after the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and marks the end of the hotel quarantine system.

The final 50 people in Mandatory Hotel Quarantine have been released.

Six South American countries were the last nations left on the list.

Arrivals into Ireland must still abide by the relevant travel regulations including the need for a PCR test if they are not vaccinated and the submission of a passenger location form.

A statement from the department said the decision is based on the success of Ireland’s vaccine roll-out, the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic internationally, and is in line with the government's revised approach to international travel.