Meet the new President of the Irish Hotels Federation
No section of the tourism industry had been spared the considerable pain which has accompanied the global recession, but perhaps the hotel sector has been hit hardest.
Since 1990 the number of hotel bedrooms in Ireland has grown from just over 20,000 to about 60,000, and in fact the number of bedrooms added since 2005 has been in the order of 15,000, or almost a third. The current severe downturn has seen room occupancy and yield fall back sharply, exacerbated by the significant overcapacity in the industry.
This week the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) elected a new President, Paul Gallagher. An industry veteran, Paul is General Manager of the famous Buswells Hotel in the heart of Dublin. He spoke to ITIC following his election to office.
Click on the image below to hear what he had to say.
March 3rd 2010
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Insightful interview. Also, it’s great to see ITIC making good use of YouTube and posting a new video so quickly. Well done.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Paul Gallagher’s thoughtful and considered approach to the many issues that confront our industry will stand the IHF well in the coming two years. We are all served well by his elevation to president and we wish him God speed and good luck in his endeavours.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
We all wish Paul well in during his Presidency. Growing foreign visitor numbers into the country is critical along with a lowering of the cost base while keeping service levels. A real juggling act. I wonder what the hotel landscape will look like 24 months down the line. If it is not very different I fear we could be in a much worse position than we currently find ourselves. Good luck Paul.