News

Level 5 a further blow to Hospitality

The hospitality sector faces further losses of revenue as the country moves to Level 5 of Covid 19 restrictions to-day. hotelwedding0620

Hotels can remain open but are likely to experience minimal occupancy due to travel restrictions whille restauants can only sell take-away meals.

Wedding receptions can continue hiowever wit a maximum f 25 peope.

The financial impact of the restrictions will be mitigated by the supports announced in the Budget and the Government decision to restore the Covid Employment Support payment of €350 per we

The Irish Hotels Federationhas said that any additional Covid restrictions will create further difficulties and uncertainties for hotels and guesthouses that are already facing enormous challenges. Calling on the Government to provide increased employment supports to hospitality businesses struggling to retain staff,

Brexit Taskforce Meets

The Tourism Ireland Brexit Taskforce met with leading players from the UK and Irish tourism industry.

Commenting on the meeting in a Facebook post, ceo Niall Gibbons said:

'While Covid-19 has overwhelmed us this year, it was important to keep a close eye, as we have been since 2016, on the Brexit space. Risks abound for tourism in areas like aviation connections, travel insurance, pet travel and driving licences. However, the Common Travel Area is secure and our research indicates that post Covid, travellers will look to visit destinations that are familiar and close to home. They will also look to visit friends and family which augurs well for the long term future of British tourism to Ireland.'

Council drones monitored visitors

Wexford County Council used drones to monitor compliance with Covid-19 restrictions during the initial lockdown earlier this year due to fears of an influx of tourists from Dublin. wexford1020

A report drawn up by the council into its use of drones, as required by a Data Protection Commission investigation into the matter, states that officials felt the county was “uniquely vulnerable to” a high incidence of community transmission of the virus due to it being “blessed with a wonderful coastline that attracts thousands of visitors on an annual basis”.

The report, which has been released by the council due to the DPC’s investigation having concluded, states that the council felt visitors from Dublin were of “particular” threat at the time, due to it having the highest rate of incidence per 100,000 people in the country, and Wexford having the lowest.

'Point A' hotel for Liberties

Planners have given the go-ahead for a 95-bedroom hotel in Dublin’s Liberties.Raag Hotels, a joint venture between Britain’s Queensway Group and the €30 billion Wellcome Trust, pointa confirmed that it has received permission to build a 95-bedroom property on St Augustine Street.

Raag’s low-cost Point A division will run the new hotel, which will be the second to operate under this name in Dublin when it opens.

The joint venture is preparing to open its first Point A hotel on Parnell Street on the city’s northside in April 2021.

Hotel for Cork tower

Cork City Council has granted permission for the construction of a 34-storey, 140-metre tower complex at the old Port of Cork site on Cork city's Custom House Quay, which, when corkport

completed, will be Ireland's tallest building and will include a hotel.

The hotel will be a five-star venue that will feature a spa, swimming pool and gym facilities.

The building, which is being developed by Tower Holdings Group, will also include a sky bar and restaurant as well as other food and drink outlets, a micro-distillery, a maritime heritage attraction, and retail space, and it will also incorporate the historic Custom House.