‘Good luck’ wishes are being shared among hospitality businesses today as hotels and B&Bs reopen for the first time since Christmas.
Hotel teams have eagerly reassembled and expanded their staff to welcome holidaymakers back for some long-awaited getaways.
At Harvey’s Point (pictured above), the team said they are beyond excited.
“It has been a long 5 months but we are ready… ready to do what we do best.. welcoming guests.”
The pandemic and public health restrictions have taken a huge toll across the tourism sector and those working in the tourism industry. With 10,796 people in Donegal on Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the reopening of accommodation and food service in the coming weeks is set to bring thousands back to work.
When restrictions eased last summer, the economy saw a return of €843 million from domestic holiday spend in Q3 (up 52% on the previous period in 2019). Based on this, an earlier reopening and a prolonged, expanded easing of restrictions this year for the tourism and hospitality sector has the potential to generate up to €1bn in the coming months for the economy.
Hospitality businesses are also counting down the days to the resumption of international travel in July.
“There is now cause for cautious optimism as the rollout of the vaccination programme gathers pace,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D..
“I know that all tourism and hospitality businesses will extend a warm Céad Míle Fáilte to their guests and I encourage people to keep discovering the delights our country has to offer. This will drive much needed and sustained footfall to local tourism and hospitality businesses as they reopen over the coming weeks.”
Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland said: “Once again this year domestic travel will play a critical role in delivering economic returns and Fáilte Ireland, through our new ‘Keep Discovering’ marketing campaign is committed to playing our part in promoting holidays at home in order to help rebuild tourism, so that jobs can be restored and revenue regained as quickly as possible.”
