Dear Industry Member,
I am issuing an update on the work of Fáilte Ireland in light of Level 3 restrictions now in place nationwide.
Fáilte Ireland’s website has been updated to reflect Government Public Health advice on the Level 3 status. Key measures under Level 3 are as follows:
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Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will be closed.
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Outdoor activity for up to 15 people can take place once all precautionary measures and Government Public Health advice are adhered to.
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No organised indoor gatherings should take place (e.g. business training events, conferences, events in theatres, cinemas and other arts events).
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Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
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No indoor dining is allowed in Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars for non-residents).
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Restaurants and cafes (including bars or pubs serving food or non-food serving pubs ‘wet pubs’) may remain open for take-away and delivery and outdoor dining or service to a maximum of 15 people.
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In an indoor setting hotel restaurants and bars serving food will be permitted to cater for residents only.
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Non-food serving pubs (wet pubs) in Dublin are to remain closed.
Due to the current restrictions and a ban on non-essential travel all our consumer marketing campaign and conversion activity has been paused until it is appropriate to resume in line with Government public health announcements. This includes “Make a break for it”; COVID-19 Safety Charter; “Come here to me Dublin” and the Stay & Spend Scheme. Promotion of the COVID-19 Adaptation Fund and Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs however will continue across various media channels.
All Fáilte Ireland Tourism Information Offices will remain closed for the duration of Level 3 restrictions.
While the marketing and sales promotion activity is paused for now, I want to assure you that we are strengthening our business supports programme available on our online COVID-19 Business Support Hub during this period.
Fáilte Ireland’s COVID-19 Business Support Hub is continuously updated with expert information for each sector on Finance, HR and Operational advice that will assist you as you make key business decisions over the coming weeks. Please continue to visit the hub for expert business advice. We also provide a free confidential advice line from Inspire that will assist you and your teams in areas such as personal well-being, legal and financial advice.
Finally, Minister Catherine Martin presented the Tourism Recovery Plan developed by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce to Cabinet yesterday which noted the contents.
Fáilte Ireland, as a member of the Government’s Tourism Recovery Taskforce significantly contributed to the contents of the Plan and I want to thank Taskforce Chair Ruth Andrews for her excellent leadership since the group was established last May by Government.
A copy of the plan is available to read on the Fáilte Ireland website and on Gov.ie.
The Taskforce made a number of recommendations to help stabilise the tourism sector, protect as many jobs and businesses as possible and boost recovery in the years ahead. These include:
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Business continuity grants and additional operational supports for enterprises
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Professional development supports for workers in the sector
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Liquidity measures to support vulnerable but viable businesses
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Facilitating the resumption of inbound international tourism
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Increasing competitiveness through a VAT reduction and actions to increase supply and reduce the costs of insurance
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Increased domestic and overseas marketing expenditure
In advance of Budget 2021 next Tuesday on 13 October we are continuing to work closely with Minister Martin and her officials to provide assistance as part of their ongoing budgetary discussions with Ministers McGrath and Donohoe.
Continue to monitor www.failteireland.ie for up-to-date information and visit our online COVID-19 Business Support Hub.
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