# Tourism
Yesterday
23rd March 2023
# airbnb
Plan to bring 12,000 short-term lets back into rental market delayed by EU Commission decision
The legislation required cannot be enacted until the end of the year.
This week
19th March 2023 - 24th March 2023
# Brexit
Varadkar concerned new UK visa waiver scheme will deter tourists from visiting NI
Non-Irish tourists visiting the Republic will need one of the new visa waivers to cross into Northern Ireland.
This month
March 2023
# Culture
Catherine Martin to meet with Sony and Disney studios during LA trade mission to Oscars
Martin will seek to strengthen working relationships between the Irish screen sector and some of the world’s largest film studios.
# Housing
AirBnb claims 'everyday families' rent out their homes for much-needed income
An upcoming property register is a barrier to income families “cannot afford to lose”, Airbnb says.
Last month
February 2023
# Hospitality
Tourism reps say increasing reduced 9% VAT rate for sector will be 'extremely detrimental'
The special 9% rate for the hospitality sector was introduced in 2020 in a bid to lessen the impact of the pandemic.
This year
2023
# Asylum Seekers
Residents in Lismore protest against use of town's refurbished hotel for direct provision
Over 200 people reportedly gathered yesterday for a demonstration in the west Waterford town, arguing that the building had been earmarked for tourism.
Last year
2022
# Tourism
Concerns new visa waiver scheme could dissuade US travellers from visiting Northern Ireland
Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen said visitors could confine their trips to the Republic of Ireland to avoid ‘extra hassle’.
# Céad Míle Fáilte
Irish tourism hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels
The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation has estimated that a full recovery to 2019 levels won’t happen until 2026.
# Tourism
Ireland ranked the friendliest country in Europe by Condé Nast Traveller
In the readers’ list of friendliest cities in Europe, Dublin came in sixth place.
# Tourists
Tourism Ireland was worried article about visit cost for holidaymakers would get 'amplified'
There has been a steady level of online complaints from visitors to Ireland, a Tourism Ireland report said.
# Prices
Hotels group says 'commentary' misses how supply problems are causing cost increases
The Irish Hotels Federation body was before the Oireacthas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts Sport and Media today.
# not my hometown
Cheaper to fly to Rome and see Springsteen than to go to Dublin gigs, Dáil told
Tickets for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Dublin’s RDS cost up to €156.
# Travel
New Zealand to ‘welcome the world back’ as tourism restarts
The announcement brought forward the date that tourists can visit from countries including the US, Canada, Britain and much of Europe.
# St Patrick's Day
Global Greening paused this year so monuments around the world can be lit in Ukrainian colours
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has written to all Irish embassies asking for monuments to be lit up in yellow and blue.
All time
# Tourism
Irish travel company Joe Walsh Tours to reopen after ceasing business earlier this year
After ceasing trading in April 2021, KPMG were appointed liquidators of the company.
# winter holidays
Voucher scheme for off-peak tourism season part of the Budget negotiations, says minister
The Stay and Spend scheme was under utilised due to the continuous Covid-19 restrictions, said Minister Catherine Martin.
# Travel
Travel rules for US tourists to Ireland unchanged despite EU decision to remove from safe list
The tourism sector had sought clarity as businesses feared further loss of revenue.
# CSO
Travel abroad jumped by 23% last month as 85,000 travel from Ireland overseas
The number of departures from April to May increased by a third.
# Tourism
EU recommends countries lift travel restrictions on US tourists
EU members agreed to add the US to the list of countries from which restrictions on non-essential travel should be removed.
# Would you go?
From a flight simulator to a hilltop funicular: These four tourists attractions have been awarded €73 million
Ireland’s first funicular is planned for Donegal.
# summer 2021
Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses can reopen from today
Indoor dining and leisure facilities at hotels are also permitted to reopen for guests.
# Tourism
Taoiseach heads to Brussels for sign-off on return of travel between EU countries
It is possible that travel to the UK will be possible in June, and that holidays abroad will be possible in July.
# Tourism
Tourism in rural Ireland set to thrive this summer, but cities will suffer, Fáilte Ireland says
Fáilte Ireland say rural destinations are offering the outdoor attractions people are seeking in light of the pandemic.
# Tourism
Tánaiste 'increasingly confident' that indoor and outdoor dining will reopen during the summer
Leo Varadkar said that it is “increasingly evident that outdoor dining is much safer than indoor”.
# Coronavirus
'My face turned white. And here we are, a year on': The workers still waiting to go back, 12 months later
It’s been a year since Varadkar’s Washington speech, and many people have been out of work for almost 12 months.
It's been a year since the Taoiseach's speech from Washington
Pubs shut a few days later, and many have remained closed for the past 12 months
Workers in the most affected industries are hoping for brighter days ahead, but are realistic about short-term prospects
# pandemic
Tourism firms can apply for grants of up to €200,000 under new scheme
Applications for the TBCS will open on 11 February.
# Holidays
Taoiseach says government will consider extra bank holiday for 2021
There have been calls for another bank holiday in a bid to boost tourism next year.
'2020 is a complete wipeout. But we'll be back': Glimmer of light at the end of the Covid tunnel for those closed all year
Businesses that had to shut for most of 2020 are hoping for brighter days ahead in 2021.
# Tourism Ireland
St Patrick's week set to be starting point for plan to rebuild Irish tourism sector after 'decimation' in 2020
Tourism Ireland hopes to attract international visitors here again by the summer of 2021.
# A Clare Winner
Burren tourism group named among Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel' winners for 2021
The award comes amid big changes to the tourism industry during 2020.
# Economy
VAT rate reduction for tourism and hospitality sector kicks in today
The Finance Minister said the change was introduced in recognition of the unprecedented challenges facing particular sectors.
# Tourism
'We need to open up our travel industry,' says Minister
Minister Robert Troy said it is “critically important” for tourism and trade to have an open travel industry.
# holibops
Taoiseach denies 'bottling' extra bank holiday but next year seen as more likely option
The idea of Ireland having an extra bank holiday to boost the tourism sector has been mooted for several months.
# Kurzarbeit
German short-time work benefit model being considered by government ahead of Budget
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said specific sector supports are under consideration.
# Living With Covid
Government will 'broadly support' new EU approach to air travel as Green List set to be updated on Monday
The government provided details on the new arrangements for air travel at a press conference today.
# empty rooms
'Nothing short of disastrous': Hoteliers say their futures are bleak as revenues plummet due to Covid
The average room occupancy stood at 42% for July.
# Tourism
Funding for greenways across 20 counties announced, here's where they could be
The funding covers route options and feasibility studies.
# Housing Crisis
ESRI says affordability pressures for renters 'likely to worsen'
Renters are more likely to work in the sectors worst hit by the pandemic.
# covid19
Global virus deaths pass 650,000 as new surges prompt fresh restrictions
European countries are struggling to balance keeping tourism open while guarding against new flare-ups of infection.
