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Green Light for Dursey Cable Car

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a multi million euro upgrade of the cable car to Dursey Island on the Beara Peninsula. dursey0220

It is the country's only cable car service.

Cork County Council has welcomed the Board's decision, saying it will now consult with its project partners, Fáilte Ireland, and following this a decision will be reached as to how best to fund and advance the project.

An estimated cost of €7 million was invested in the project in 2019 when plans were first submitted.

Local Fianna Fail TD Christopher O'Sullivan described the project as "a massive tourism win for west Cork", saying it will boost tourism in the region.

Dublin 22nd on 'Accessible' list

Dublin is ranked 22nd among the most accessible cities in the world for people with disabilities.

A new report by Essential Living has ranked 38 major cities around the world in its ‘Taxi Rank’ report which found which are the best and easiest cities to travel by Uber, and which were the worst.

Ranked by average cost, convenience, vehicle options and availability the world's top 10 accessible cities for travel are Washington, New Delhi,Cairo, Madrid, Prague

Santiago, Lisbon, Vienna, Zagreb and Los Angeles

The report found Washington, New Delhi and Cairo to be amongst the best cities to travel by Uber, making these the top 3 travel-friendly cities to visit for anyone with a disability.

Rome, Auckland, Rio De Janeiro, Athens and Antwerp were amongst the least accessible.

Shelbourne Hotel posts €8.52m loss

Pre-tax losses at Shelbourne Hotel Dublin operator KW Shelbourne Ops Ltd last year increased to €8.52 million on the back of declining revenues compared with a deficit of shelbourne 1117

€650,000 a year earlier. The firm’s loss last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €4.94 million.

The Shelbourne Hotel last year took a €30 million revenue hit due to the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, according to accounts just lodged for the company that operates the property.

The Shelbourne’s income declined by 71 per cent from €42 million to €12.2 million.

The directors state in the accounts that the reduced turnover was as a result of Government-imposed lockdown restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The directors state that since the hotel reopened in June 2021 “domestic trade has been robust and the return of international guests has commenced”.

Dromoland revenue down €15.7m

Accounts for 2020 for Dromoland Castle and The Inn at Dromoland show the two hotels last year sustained a €15.7 million or 68.5 per cent revenue hit due to Covid-19 shutdowns. dromoland1118

Revenues at Dromoland Castle Holdings Ltd fell from €23 million to €7.23 million in 2020, while the company recorded a pretax loss of €3.3 million due to the pandemic.

The loss takes account of non-cash deprecation costs of €2.08 million and interest charges of €409,610.

The hotel company last year received €2.29 million in State Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme payments.

Revenues from rooms declined from €11.74 million to €2.87 million and food and drink revenues fell from €8.9 million to €3 million.

Tourism Plan for Clew Bay

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo. Entitled the ‘Clew Bay Destination and Experience Development Plan’, the clewbay1121 plan aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.

Key stakeholders in the area and the local community were consulted and inputted into the plan including Mayo County Council, the Office of Public Works, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Westport Chamber of Commerce and local tourism marketing groups as well as many local tourism operators and networks.

The focus of the plan builds on a number of destination development projects that will bring local experiences to life including the restoration of the house and gardens at Westport Estate, the enhancement of the visitor experience at Croagh Patrick and a number of trails to encourage visitors to explore the region including the Clew Bay Bike Trail.