Fáilte Ireland committed to supporting the B&B sector

Fáilte Ireland today noted the publication of the “Report on Standards and Quality Options for the Bed & Breakfast Sector in Ireland” and described it as a useful contribution to Fáilte Ireland’s own comprehensive review of the sector which is currently under way. Today’s report was published by the Town and Country Homes Association who represent almost 1,100 of the 2,500 B&Bs approved by Fáilte Ireland.
Currently, Fáilte Ireland provides significant support and funding for the B&B sector - including over €1.5m of funding for a wide range of marketing and promotional initiatives during the last five years.

Over the last year, Fáilte Ireland has financed a €500,000 programme of marketing and support for the sector which has focused on the development and enhancement of e-Business capability and providing operators with supports to target and develop new business.
  
Bed and Breakfasts have traditionally been a distinctive feature of Irish tourism, offering guests a close-up and personal taste of Ireland’s famed welcome and hospitality. For many visitors to Ireland, the Bed & Breakfast experience holds out the expectation of something distinctive and uniquely Irish. As such, Bed & Breakfasts are a valuable element of the Ireland brand.
 
However, over the last number of years, increased competition from hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation, as well as changing tourism patterns, have led to a decline in the number of Bed & Breakfast operators, a trend which is continuing.
 
Fáilte Ireland, mindful of the challenges facing this sector, has established the Irish Homes Bed and Breakfast Working Group with an independent Chair to develop recommendations on the strategic development of the sector. The group includes representatives of the B&B sector (including the Town and Country Homes Association) as well as officials from both Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
 
This Group will develop and recommend an action plan to drive the growth of the sector in the context of the competitive tourism market and the evolving needs of consumers. It is expected that the Group’s final report will be available this November.
 
Speaking today, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Industry Standards and Quality, Tony Lenehan emphasised –
 
“Today’s report is a welcome addition to the ongoing debate about the future of the bed and breakfast sector – a distinctive and important player in Irish Tourism. The report emphasises a need for greater regulation, which is understandable. However, the challenges facing B&Bs will require more than regulation and will involve significant change within the B&B sector to meet the needs of the 21st century tourist.
 
“In recognition of this, we at Fáilte Ireland have established, with the involvement of the operators, a working group to engage in a root and branch review of the bed and breakfast sector and to recommend exactly how these challenges may be faced. Today’s report is a helpful input into that review.”
 

ENDS

 
For further information please contact:
Fáilte Ireland
 
Louise Tolerton - PR Officer - 086 6086578/(01) 8847135

Back