IHF: Lack of entry-level tourism staff

A severe shortage of qualified staff could jeopardise the creation of 40,000 tourism-related jobs, according to the Irish Hotel Federation.

Almost three-quarters of hotel and guesthouse owners are having difficulty recruiting suitably qualified entry level staff.

This, according to IHF chief executive Tim Fenn, could hinder the potential creation of thousands of jobs in the coming years.

“Hoteliers are finding it more difficult to find qualified staff for entry level positions and this will significantly hinder the prospect of achieving the target to increase tourism-related jobs by in excess of 40,000 between now and 2020,” said Mr Fenn.

The federation’s quarterly survey also found local authority rates to be the chief cost concern among its members, with 81% believing they are having a negative impact on their business and the IHF calling for a 30% reduction in these rates.

The high cost of utilities and worries over consumer confidence were also cited as concerns within the industry.

Confidence in the future of the industry is high, however, with 86% of hoteliers indicating that they are positive about future trading conditions and more than 70% reporting increased advance summer bookings.

More Irish holidaymakers are opting to take a break in Ireland with domestic tourism up 67% this year.

Visitors from some of the tourism industry’s most important markets are also coming to Ireland in increasing numbers. Tourists from Britain are up 54% on the same period last year with US visitors up 45%.

“So far this year the domestic market is performing well and there has been a welcome increase in visitors from Great Britain and the United States, however, the industry is weighed down by cost concerns such as public sector charges which the Government needs to address,” said Mr Fenn.

“We can build the tourism industry from strength to strength as long as we continue to have the right environment to encourage domestic and overseas visitors and continue to invest in pro-tourism marketing measures,” he added.

Mr Fenn warned that the industry is still a number of years from achieving sustainability and that Irish tourism faces some serious challenges.