Little festive cheer for local hotels as low occupancy levels raises alarm
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The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals that hotel and guesthouses are reporting occupancy levels of just 22% nationally for December, as bookings plunge compared to December 2019.
Chair of the IHF Midlands branch, Dara Cruise says that occupancy levels are expected to be 27% in the Midlands.
With inter-county travel prohibited until 18th December, Mr Cruise says that hotels continue to operate under severe restrictions resulting in historically low room bookings in the lead up to Christmas.
This is having a knock-on effect on food and beverage revenues and comes at a time when bookings for corporate events and Christmas parties have been wiped out due to Covid restrictions.