Hotels and tourism board at war over marketing plans

A CRUNCH meeting is set to take place between representatives of 250 hotels and the board of Cork Kerry Tourism tomorrow, amid claims that the tourist marketing body has no strategic plans in place to capitalise on Cork’s success as European Capital of Culture.

Chairman of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels’ Federation, John Gately, confirmed yesterday that both he and his Kerry counterpart, Pat Chawke, had sought the meeting with board members, which is set to take place at the Great Southern Hotel at Cork Airport.

There has been growing disquiet among Cork’s 100 hoteliers, particularly since it was suggested they should go it alone and set up a €500,000 marketing fund to further tourism aims in the city and county.