According to the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), Irish hotels and guesthouses that participated in its latest hotel industry survey reported occupancy levels of 8% nationally for January and 6% for February.
Survey Details
290 properties across Ireland with a combined 30,650 guest rooms took part in the survey, which was conducted between December 15 and December 17.
Occupancy In Dublin, Other Cities And Rest Of The Country
The Dublin city and county venues that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 6% and 5% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the country's other cities that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 10% and 6% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the border region that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 7% and 6% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the mid-west that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 8% and 6% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the midlands and mid-east that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 11% and 8% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the south-east that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 13% and 10% for January and February, respectively; the venues that are located in the south-west that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 8% and 5% for January and February, respectively; and the venues that are located in the west that took part in the survey reported occupancy levels of 10% and 8% for January and February, respectively.
December Occupancy
The above results follow the results of an IHF survey that was conducted between December 8 and December 10, the participants of which reported occupancy levels of 22% nationally for December.
278 properties across Ireland with a combined 30,700 guest rooms took part in that survey.
Call For Review Of Operation Of CRSS
IHF chief executive Tim Fenn is calling on the government to review the operation of its COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), which currently excludes hotels.
Fenn stated "Due to an anomaly in how the government has structured the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, hotels are now being excluded despite a record fall in revenues, even where they meet the required 75% drop in turnover. We are calling on the government to review the operation of the scheme as a matter of urgency.
Call For Extension Of Local Authority Rates Wavier Period
The IHF also said that with the local authority rates waiver due to lapse on December 31, 2020, it is seeking an extension of the local authority rates wavier period for a further six months to June 30, 2021, at least, as well.
Fenn added, "The time period should coincide with business interruption due to COVID. After that, payment of local authority rates should be based on reduced levels of activity due to the crisis and until the industry has recovered. Businesses cannot be expected to pay rates on historical turnover figures that do not reflect the significantly lower levels of business that hoteliers are experiencing.
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