Michael Magner elected President of the Irish Hotels Federation

Michael Magner will represent more than 900 hotels and guesthouses employing 65,000 people as President of the Irish Hotels Federation.

Cork hotelier Michael Magner has been elected President of the influential representative body the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF).

Succeeding Denyse Campbell, Mr Magner who is the owner of Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel, will represent more than 900 hotels and guesthouses employing 65,000 people.

A native of Killeedy, Co Limerick, Magner studied hotel management and holds a master’s degree in Business in HRM from the University of Limerick. He began his career in hospitality aged 16 in Newcastle West, Limerick, before going on to work at the Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. 

He has been an active member of the IHF since 2006 and has served as Chair of the Cork branch. He currently sits as Chair of Cobh Heritage Trust and a Director of the Board of Visit Cork.

“Our industry has gone through remarkable changes in recent years, not least influenced by the impact of a global pandemic, soaring business costs, rapid consumer inflation, economic uncertainty, climate change and the impact of global geo-political crises," he said. "In the face of all of this, our members have displayed resilience and adaptability.

“However, some members are facing greater challenges, depending on their location and business mix. Quite simply, more needs to be done by Government to support these businesses, which are core to our tourism proposition, delivering exceptional Irish hospitality.

"As a Cork hotelier, I am all too aware of the impact tourism has right across our country, supporting over a quarter of a million livelihoods. 65,000 people are employed directly in hotels and guesthouses — all making an enormous contribution to villages, towns and cities the length and breadth of the country. It’s vitally important that we have the right conditions in place to live up to our full potential as Ireland’s leading indigenous industry."