Hoteliers to discuss energy cost rise and difficulties finding staff

More than 400 owners and managers of hotels and guesthouses have assembled for the conference at the Great Southern Killarney, which got under way on Monday with in-house business.

The issue of rising energy costs will loom large at a hoteliers' conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, on Tuesday, along with challenges of finding staff because of a shortage of accommodation.

The ongoing and longer-term challenge of building a sustainable culture in the tourism industry — among guests as well as proprietors — will also be among the main topics at the annual conference of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF).