O’Donoghue rejects ‘rip off’ claims
Some 90% of tourists surveyed on their holiday experiences said they satisfied or more than satisfied, he said.
“Across the cities I visited in the United States over the last number of days, glowing tributes were paid not just to the landscape and the seascape and the friendliness of the Irish people, but the standards of accommodation, service, food and drink.”
Presenting the Les Routiers in Ireland, annual awards to hotels and restaurants, the minister said Ireland must remain competitive.
“But that does not mean that we should acknowledge, even for a moment, that because we are trying to stay competitive in a difficult environment that there is in existence anywhere in this land this notion or myth of a ‘rip-off’ Ireland.”
Mr O’Donoghue said the Les Routiers awards called attention to achievement in the regions as well as the cities and showed visitors could benefit from excellent quality throughout
Ireland. That was important, because although Ireland had seen growth in tourism this year, it had not been evenly spread across the regions.
The tourism industry, worth €5 billion a year, was still growing and bringing great benefits to the economy.
“Groups such as yours play a major part in ensuring top-quality service combined with traditional Irish friendliness and homeliness, both for overseas visitors and for the rapidly expanding domestic market,” said Mr O’Donoghue.
The Les Routiers annual awards honour establishments which, in the panel’s opinion, excel and go the extra mile. The nominations are open to all members who are assessed throughout the year using set guidelines.
Almost 150 properties have made the grade, having been selected for their quality, warmth of welcome and value for money. Only those are entitled to display the distinctive blue and red sign.
