/sites/default/files/upload/ihf_dublin_presentation_2023_-_14.3.23.pdfFollowing Government measures announced today, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) looks forward to the resumption of indoor hospitality later this month. Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, also welcomed the news that children will be exempt from the requirement to be vaccinated. “Today’s announcement is an important milestone in the reopening of society and the economy and in the recovery of Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry,” he said.
“Public health remains the number one priority of hotels and guesthouses across the country and our members are firmly committed to the implementation of safety guidelines and protocols, which cover every aspect of our operations and facilities. Since the outset of the pandemic, the implementation of Government safety measures has proved highly effective, helped by the strong support of our teams and co-operation of guests. Hotels have existing processes in place around the safety of indoor hospitality and now look forward to extending a warm welcome to non-residents,” Mr Fenn added.
“One of our key priorities now is the opening up of safe international travel and today’s announcement is a key part of that. We therefore welcome the Government’s decision to recognise equivalent proof of vaccination for visitors from Britain and the US, two of our key overseas markets,” said Mr Fenn.
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Notes to Editor:
- Tourism sector at a glance - figures for 2019
- 10.9 million out of state visitors
- Tourism accounts for almost 4% of GNP
- Total tourism revenue of €9.2 billion in 2019
- Tourism industry created over 90,000 new jobs since 2011. Before the COVID-19 crisis it supported over 260,000 jobs, equivalent to 11% of total employment in Ireland with over 60,000 of these jobs in the hotel sector alone.
- €7.25 billion in foreign exchange earnings
- €1.96 billion in domestic tourism revenue in 2019
- Total of 62,897 hotel and guesthouse bedrooms in Ireland (2019)