Drinks brand shows hotels the way

THE Irish hotel industry can learn a lot from the Coca-Cola brand, which research shows is the second most recognised word in the world after “okay”.

Head of sales at Coca-Cola bottlers Frank O’Donnell said that Ireland is a highly recognised tourist destination and added that the hotel industry here can learn lessons from the development of the Coca-Cola brand over the years.

“Like the Coca-Cola brand, hotels are associated with happy occasions and the ingredients that make Coca-Cola magic are the same ingredients that make the hotel industry magic,” he said.

Mr O’Donnell was speaking to delegates at the annual Irish Hotels Federation conference in Kilkenny last week.

Mr O’Donnell saidCoca-Cola, which wasinvented by an Irishman, has survived because it has been able to adapt and remain relevant to consumer.

He said the company has come a long way since it was first launched and was selling a mere nine drinks a day.

Today, 10,500 bottles of the soft drink are consumed every second around the world.

The Coca-Cola brand, said Mr O’Donnell, is now recognised by 94% of the world’s population.

Coca-Cola, whichemploys 1,200 people in Ireland, is also planning on extending its designated driver initiative across Ireland this year.

This scheme offers free soft drinks to those who are appointed designated drivers on a given evening.

Mr O’Donnell said the company is also expanding the programme to include St Patrick’s Day weekend.