Kilkenny set for bumper staycation season: new figures
Kilkenny is braced for a bumper ‘staycation’ season as new figures reveal hotel and guesthouse bookings have increased more here than in any other region in the country.
Hotels and guesthouses in Kilkenny have reported a 50% and 57% occupancy rate for July and August, according to the latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). Nationally the average occupancy rate is 31% and 27% for these key summer months.
The IHF welcomed the increase in bookings that has followed the Government’s recent announcement that hotels will reopen on June 2. And their latest figureirm s confbookings in Kilkenny and the South East are well ahead of the rest of the country.
IHF south east chair Colm Neville said: “The increase in bookings in the past fortnight has been a welcome morale boost to our members and the thousands of people employed in Irish hotels.
“The domestic market was a real positive last year and we expect home holidays to be very important for the sector again this year.
“We would encourage people to explore all parts across the country, as they did last year. There is excellent value available. Guests should shop around and contact hotels directly to find out what special offers are available, including mid-week specials for those whose dates are flexible,” Mr Neville added.
While hotels and guesthouses are not banking on significant overseas visitors this year, Mr Neville has urged the Government to implement the Covid-19 Travel Certificate, which is expected to be approved by the EU next month, as quickly as possible.
He added: “This would send a very clear signal that Ireland is reopening for tourism when it is safe to trave. As an island nation international tourism is critically important, accounting for over 70% of tourism revenue pre-Covid.”
Kilkenny’s 57% occupancy rate compares to just 44% occupancy in Cork and Kerry and a 45% occupancy rate in Mayo and Galway.
However, Dublin hotels could be in for a difficult few months without foreign travellers as occupancy rates in the capital are at just 11% for July and August.
