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Survey gives hope to Irish hotels

Fáilte Ireland’s hotel survey, released today, for January to July 2012 shows a 14% increase in the number of hotel bednights generated by overseas visitors.

There is a particularly strong showing for business from north America (+29%).

However, the numbers of bednights for visitors from Great Britain declined slightly (-3%) in line with falling market sentiment in Britain, and reflects the fall in visit numbers from this market.

Bednights for tourists from Mainland Europe increased by 15% and went up by 30% from all other areas so that the total figures showed a 14% rise.

Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar said it is welcome news and reflects how the Irish hotel sector has regained much of its competitiveness.

Mr Varadkar said: "With the international economic climate so unsettled, Ireland has had to go that extra mile to promote its tourism industry. The hotel sector deserves a lot of credit for improving its competitiveness and giving greater value for money, which is reflected in repeated surveys by international booking engines."

The minister said the finding will be "hugely important" next year when the country stages The Gathering.

He said: "I’m pleased to report that there is huge interest in the Gathering in the US and Canada, and I’m confident that the Gathering will fulfil its promise."

Mr Varadkar has launched Gathering Ireland 2013 in New York, Boston, Chicago, and Toronto.Home

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