Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media

Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion

Ms Denyse Campbell:

I will reiterate and expand on what Mr. Fenn has said. We are grateful for the support we have received, especially those of us from Cork. We know the Deputy played an instrumental role in supporting our industry. In my opening statement I used the example of the GB market being our biggest market. Some 42% of our business came from the GB market in 2019. If 60% of our members say they are not seeing business coming back as quickly from that market, that is a concern for us. We are not saying it is because of a lack of availability. Obviously, they are hit with inflation, the cost of living and the other measures in their country, so their discretionary income is at stake. They might not come for a second visit to Ireland, or they might stay for two nights instead of four. That is what we are emphasising.