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A growing number of Irish hotels are creating guestrooms and leisure areas which are 'autism friendly', according to an article by Póol O'Conghaile in the 'Irish Independent'

Last month, Sligo's Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa unveiled the first 'sensory hotel bedroom' in Ireland, a refurbished suite with features like mood lighting, aura projections, massage rollers and a mobile sensory trolley - all designed to offer children with autism, ADHD and other disabilities, "a non-stressful stay.

 Designed by the Radisson's innovation team with Multisensory Ireland, a company specialising in sensory rooms and soft play spaces, the room also includes soft fabrics, ear defenders and fibrotic lights showing a starry night.

 The Radisson Blu Sligo is a member of Ireland's iNua Collection, which is spending over €80,000 in adapting several similar rooms throughout the country - at Radisson hotels in Athlone, Limerick and Cork, as well as the Kilkenny Hibernian, The Hillgrove in Monaghan and the Tullamore Court Hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kylemore Trust, the parent company of Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens in Connemara, Co Galway  has appointed Conor Coyne as executive director

A native of Connemara, Conor returns to the west, following 15 years in Dublin in Senior Management roles with Ervia, Irish Water and Ernst & Young. A member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and holding an MBA from Trinity College Dublin Conor, brings a wealth of experience to what is Connemara’s and the West of Ireland’s most high profile visitor attraction. 

 

Hotels and guesthouses  are reporting mixed results for the key summer season amid increasing concerns about the challenges facing the tourism sector. According to the latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation , 57% of hotels have seen a fall in overall business levels compared to this time last year while 33% report an increase.

 Business levels from the UK remain very challenging for hotels, largely as a result of uncertainty around Brexit and the marked drop in the value of Sterling in recent years. Some 78% of hotels have seen a fall-off in business from Great Britain compared to last year while 60% report a decrease in business from Northern Ireland. Some 64% of hoteliers report that the weakness in the value of Sterling has had a negative impact on business levels while risks associated with Brexit have resulted in 73% re-examining investment plans and taking a more cautious approach for next year.

 While tourism business from North America and the domestic market were stronger, results for these markets were mixed. Some 36% of hoteliers report an increase in business from North America while 45% report an increase in business from Irish domestic tourism.

 Commenting on the results, IHF President Michael Lennon said:

Property advisors Savills and CBRE are seeking restaurant operators for a new 3,832 square foot glass box building at The Point Square development in Dublin's north docklands.

The restaurant, which is currently under construction and due for completion in 2020, will feature ground floor space extending to 2,217 square feet, with the potential for an additional 1,615 square feet at both mezzanine and first floor levels, depending on the requirements of the operator.