Kerry tourism ‘worst in 32 years’

A LEADING figure in Kerry tourism yesterday said the current season was the worst in his 32 years in the industry.

Killarney hotelier and vice-president of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Michael Rosney said the industry was now looking to Irish people to salvage what looks like being a particularly difficult season.

Tourism interests in the county are being urged to back a Fáilte Ireland marketing initiative by contributing up to €2,000 each to promote Kerry nationally.

Fáilte Ireland has pledged €100,000 if the money can be matched ‘euro for euro’ by stakeholders in the industry.

“Everyone involved in tourism in Kerry has to get involved in this initiative if tourism is to have any chance this year,” said Mr Rosney, of the Killeen House Hotel, Killarney.

“This is the single most important initiative in Kerry tourism this year. Every tourist region in the country will be looking to the home market and Kerry has to be in there aggressively selling itself.”

He said the volcanic ash disaster was leading to cancellations and huge uncertainty in the industry.

Some Kerry hotels had lost up to 14 tours in a week, while others had to close temporarily.

Mr Rosney reopened his hotel for the season on April 14, when the volcano started sending out plumes of ash and suffered 90% cancellations in the following two weeks.

“I’ve never seen anything like it and the worst of all is the uncertainty,” he remarked.

Kerry IHF branch chairman Sean O’Driscoll has written to various sectors of the industry in the county seeking contributions to the Fáilte Ireland initiative.

Guesthouses are being asked for €300; restaurants for €500, hotels with up to 100 rooms €1,500 and hotels with more than 100 rooms €2,000.

Golf clubs and other tourist attractions are being asked for €1,000, while pubs, retail outlets and other tourist-related businesses are being asked for €500.

Westport, Donegal and Connemara are also running similar campaigns.