News

ITIC seeks nine tourism actions

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation has outlined nine key policies which it says are needed to safeguard the industry as it continues to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 andrews0520

restrictions.

They include a doubling of the Covid Restrictions Support, a re-vamped 'Stay and Spend' scheme and a speed up of vaccinations.

The tourism industry here took an 85% hit in revenue last year with the loss of 160,000 jobs due to Covid-19.

ITIC chairman Ruth Andrews (pictured) said that as businesses in the sector continue to remain shut for public health reasons for at least the first few months of 2021, Government support is critically needed to ensure the essential fabric of the tourism industry is preserved.

It predicted that a recovery will start in the second half of 2021 but only if certain policies are implemented to support the country's largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer.

Among its policies, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation said the the vaccination programme needs to be rolled out "urgently, effectively and speedily".

Clarence seeks Covid compensation

The operators of Dublin's Clarence Hotel claim that because one of the consequences of the Covid-19 virus is acute encephalitis - inflammation of the brain - they are covered for

lockdown losses under their insurance policy for business interruption, the Commercial Court has heard.

Brushfield Ltd, trading as The Clarence Hotel, says it is entitled to be compensated for losses due to the lockdowns under its "Enterprise" insurance policy with AXA.

It is suing the insurance company and the agent who provided the policy, Arachas Corporate Brokers Ltd.

The defendants deny the claims and a counter-claim is being made seeking declarations including that Brushfield's losses are not covered.

Brushfield's parent company is the Press Up hospitality group which operates a number of hostelries and entertainment outlets. It employed 1,700 people when the lockdowns started.

Cup sketch leads to compensation

A Dublin Starbucks outlet has been ordered to pay €12,000 compensation to an Irish customer with Thai heritage after an employee drew what was referred to in a hearing as

'slanty' eyes on the woman's cup.

In the case, Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer Kevin Baneham ordered Atercin Liffey Unlimited trading as Starbucks Tallaght to pay Suchavadee Foley €12,000.

He found that Ms Foley was racially harassed under the Equal Status Act when attending the outlet on 12 January 2020.

In his findings, Mr Baneham said that it is not disputed that a Starbucks employee drew an image of a smile and what was referred to in the hearing as 'slanty' eyes on the cup as a way of marking it as Ms Foley's cup.

He said that Ms Foley "has Thai-Irish heritage and it is clear that the visual depiction relates to her race. It is as offensive and as unimaginative as a 19th century Punch cartoon".

Brennans plan revitalised Lansdowne Hotel

'Kenmare is a wonderful town, and we look forward to adding a new zest to The Lansdowne whilst still respecting its rich history and unique location.. Francis Brennan told the brennans 'Irish Independent'.

Francis and his brother John have acquired the town’s Victorian-style Lansdowne Arms out of receivership for an undisclosed sum. The pair plan to rebrand and reopen the hotel when Government guidelines permit, in late spring or early summer.

The 28-bed property dates from 1790 and sits just opposite the Park Hotel Kenmare on the corner of Main and Shelbourne Streets. Rates will be in the region of €220 to €230 per night, roughly half the price of its five-star sister.

"It wasn’t on the horizon, but was too good an opportunity to say no to,” says John Brennan, who also owns nearby Dromquinna Manor with his wife, Gwen.

"It’s totally stripped out at the moment, and we're adding two new rooms,” he said.

Agents report 'Minimal Bookings'

The Irish Travel Agents Association says that increases in 2021 bookings have been minimal so far, due in part to the slow rollout of vaccinations and consumers lingering fears dawson surrounding COVID-19. The Association believes that higher levels of vaccinations are needed before a safe return to international travel will be viable.

The majority of bookings being made at the moment are from customers rescheduling trips which were due to take place in 2020, and were disrupted by the outbreak of the pandemic. Most bookings are being made for the latter part of 2021, with many travel agents apprehensive to proceed with bookings without certainty to protect customers and avoid last minute cancellations and disruptions as seen in 2020.