Minister Martin welcomes reopening of tourism and hospitality
€1 billion boost to the economy
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. today welcomed the start of the reopening of the tourism and hospitality sector including this week’s resumption of tourism accommodation. The reopening of hotels, restaurants and services will help inject an estimated €1 billion extra into the economy.
The pandemic and the necessary public health restrictions have taken a huge toll across the tourism sector and, most importantly, on the people working in the tourism industry. However, June and July will see thousands of businesses reopen their doors to guests and welcome their staff back to their jobs. Fáilte Ireland estimates that the reopening will provide a significant cash boost to the economy.
According to economic analysis provided by Fáilte Ireland, 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.
Minister Martin said: “There is now cause for cautious optimism as the rollout of the vaccination programme gathers pace. The reopening of the tourism and hospitality sector represents a further important step in the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Plan. Accommodation and restaurants along with pubs and bars will be able to reopen their doors after this difficult period of enforced closure. 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.I am acutely aware of the importance of international visitors and we are all looking forward to the resumption of international travel in July. The Government remains committed to supporting tourism and has published a National Economic Recovery Plan outlining how we will help people return to work, and continue to support sectors which have been disproportionately affected including tourism.”
Hotels, B&Bs, hostels, guesthouses and related tourism accommodation can open their doors to tourists from today while outdoor dining services for restaurants, cafes and pubs will recommence from Monday June 7.
Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland said: “The continued safe reopening of the tourism and hospitality sector in Ireland this week will provide a much needed boost to our national recovery. Our economic analysis states that domestic tourism experienced significant growth in 2020 when restrictions were lifted. 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.”
