Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses gave us a graph indicating that 42% of hotels had seen a reduction in the number of domestic bookings for 2023, while for 29% there had been an increase and for 30% no change. First, the figures add up to 101%; I point that out for our witnesses’ records. The majority, at 59%, are not seeing a reduction. Is there a breakdown of that? Are they hotels near tourist destinations in rural areas or where are they? Our witnesses not have that information. Do they think the reason 42% are seeing a reduction relates to the news that is out there domestically, whereby it can be cheaper to book a three-day break or week away abroad? In fairness, while I hope that does not come to pass, our witnesses were warned about it. Do they think it is a result of damage having been done on the domestic front? People are willing to support hotels. An article in The Irish Timeson 5 December suggested that the number of domestic trips last summer had surpassed the 2019 level, so people were willing to give them the chance, but then they are extremely put off, and rightly so, by the prices charged. Is that why there has been a slow uptake or a reduction in the number of people from the domestic market booking ahead for next year and perhaps that is because those people have chosen to go abroad?