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Figures show rise in hotel bookings

Tuesday, October 02 10:59:20

Preliminary results from Failte Ireland's hotel survey covering January to July 2012 show a 14pc increase in the number of hotel bednights generated by overseas visitors.

This is welcome news and reflects how the Irish hotel sector has regained much of its competitiveness, according to Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, who speaking following a trade mission to the US and Canada.

"With the international economic climate so unsettled, Ireland has had to go that extra mile to promote its tourism industry. The hotel sector deserves a lot of credit for improving its competiveness and giving greater value for money, which is reflected in repeated surveys by international booking engines. These preliminary figures from Failte Ireland showing a rise in overseas bednights suggest that the hard work from the hotels sector is paying off," Minister Varadkar said.

"The fact that Ireland is now better value for money will be hugely important next year when we stage the Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long festival of festivals and community-based events. I'm pleased to report that there is huge interest in the Gathering in the US and Canada, and I'm confident that the Gathering will fulfil its promise," he added.