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EPIC is the first visitor attraction to be voted as Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction award three times in a row

Dublin museum named Europe's leading tourist attraction

The Irish emigration museum EPIC has been named Europe's leading tourist attraction for the third time.

There is disappointment among businesses in hospitality that the 9% rate was not extended beyond next summer

Reduced 9% VAT rate will expire in August 2022

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has confirmed the reduced VAT rate of 9% for the hospitality sector will expire at end of August 2022 as planned.

Budget 2022 • 12 Oct 21

Spain's second quarter growth rate has been revised down to 1.1% from 2.8%

Spain's Q2 GDP growth revised down to 1.1% from 2.8%

Spain's economic recovery from the Covid-19-induced crisis was much slower in the second quarter than previously estimated, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said today, revising down the quarterly growth rate to 1.1% from 2.8%.

Business • 23 Sep 21

Aer Lingus cabin crew who are members of Fórsa rejected its proposed cost cutting plan last week

Aer Lingus tells Fórsa it would attend WRC over cuts

Aer Lingus has told the Fórsa trade union that it is willing to attend the Workplace Relations Commission in an effort to resolve an ongoing row with staff over proposed work practice changes.

Business • 22 Sep 21

Sunway Travel's business was badly hit by the restrictions introduced to international travel as a result of the pandemic

Sunway Travel's revenues fell 70% last year

Revenues at Tanya Airey's Sunway Travel last year plummeted by €23.1m (70%) due to the Covid-19 shutdown of the travel industry for much of 2020.

Business • 17 Sep 21

Tourism has been particularly badly hit by the restrictions on overseas visitors

Covid costs Irish tourism sector an estimated €13.4bn

The Covid-19 pandemic has cost the tourism sector here €13.4bn and 100,000 jobs have been lost as a result, a new report claims.

Business • 06 Sep 21

The CTTC said the decision to close off OPW sites, galleries and museums for groups is especially perplexing, given the detrimental impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the tourism sector

CTTC concerned over OPW group bookings ban

The Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland has expressed its concern over the refusal to facilitate group bookings at Office of Public Works (OPW) sites, galleries, museums and cultural attractions across the country.

Business • 05 Jul 21

A new report recommends that the Government renews the Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme in Budget 2022

Bus and coach operators call for targeted Govt support

90% of coach tour operators believe that without Government support they will have to reduce supply or close part of their business, a new report reveals.

Business • 22 Jun 21

Westport House and Estate is to receive the largest amount of funding for the restoration and rewilding of the 300-acre estate

Four tourist attractions to get over €70m in funding

Four new "world class Irish tourist attractions" are to receive over €70m in funding.

Business • 10 Jun 21

The Irish Golf Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) said their members are facing a second year with little or no business

Tourism groups appeal for support to clear Covid hurdle

A group of international tourism bodies has appealed for further clarity on the country's roadmap out of the Covid-19 pandemic and an extension of existing financial support.

Business • 10 Jun 21

The island off Kerry is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Sceilg Mhichíl set to reopen to visitors this month

Sceilg Mhichíl looks set to welcome public visitors again later this month, with a target date of 21 June for re-opening the popular island off the Kerry coast.

Ireland • 02 Jun 21

International travel for non-essential reasons will get easier from 19 July - but some rules will remain in place

What do I need to know before booking a trip?

Restrictions around international travel are to be eased from 19 July, the Government has confirmed, but there will still be a number of rules in place for those planning a trip.

Coronavirus • 28 May 21

Chambers Ireland said while the public health situation appears to be improving, there remains deep uncertainty among the business community as to what lies ahead

Chambers Ireland: Clear timelines needed in Govt plan

Ahead of this evening's announcement on the further reopening of society, Chambers Ireland has called on the Government to publish clear reopening timelines for businesses.

Business • 28 May 21

TUI Group said it is expecting a strong 2021 holiday season and is sticking to its plan to operate 75% of pre-pandemic capacity

European summer holiday season is on - TUI

TUI Group expects a strong 2021 holiday season and is sticking to its plan to operate 75% of pre-pandemic capacity, it said today after reporting six-month losses of more than €1 billion.

Business • 12 May 21

Joe Walsh Tours announced its closure yesterday, after a year with no trade and little clarity around the resumption of normal travel (Pic: Rollingnews.ie)

Tour operators want time-frame for international travel

The Inbound Tour Operators Association of Ireland has called on the Government to set out a clear roadmap for the return of international travel as part of its expected announcement on the easing of Covid-19 restrictions tomorrow.

Business • 28 Apr 21

A recent Fáilte Ireland survey shows that 46% of consumers intend to take a short break in Ireland in the next six months

BPFI: Domestic tourism key to economic recovery

Domestic tourism will play a key role in Ireland's economic recovery, according to a report published by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland.

Business • 27 Apr 21

The cruise ship 'Queen Victoria' passes close to St Mark's Square in Venice in September 2013

Italy plans to keep cruise ships out of Venice lagoon

Italy's government has ruled that large cruise ships and container vessels must not pass close to Venice's historic centre and should instead dock in a different location to preserve the famed lagoon.

Europe • 01 Apr 21

IHF Chief Executive Tim Fenn said they expect booking levels will improve when restrictions are lifted

Hotels say summer bookings remain at 'historic low'

Hotel summer bookings remain at an all time low, according to the latest survey by the Irish Hotels Federation.

Business • 12 Mar 21

Camping has become more attractive in the past year as holiday-makers seek more secluded places to stay

Irish camping booking site launches €2.9m fundraising

Irish booking site Campsited is looking to raise almost €3m as it looks to capitalise on an increased interest in camping holidays.

Business • 26 Feb 21

The industry had expected airlines to return to a break-even position in the second half of the year, but continued tightened travel restrictions now make that less likely

Outlook for airlines 'deteriorating' - IATA

Global airline industry body IATA has warned that the outlook for airlines had weakened since its December forecasts, and due to tightening travel restrictions it now expected the sector to still be bleeding cash by the fourth quarter of this year.

Business • 24 Feb 21

Booking levels are at their lowest in Dublin

Hotel summer bookings at just 20% - IHF

Hotels and guesthouses around the country are reporting average booking levels for July and August of just 20%, according to the Irish Hotels Federation.

Business • 22 Feb 21

Tom Bourke has extended his beer garden to try to cater for more customers outside

Tourism businesses fear recovery could take years

Tourism and hospitality has been hit hard by the pandemic and businesses fear a real recovery could take several years.

Connacht • 14 Feb 21

Restaurants saw a 166% monthly rise in spending in December

Data shows desire to spend on tourism after lockdown

New data from AIB shows the willingness of customers to spend in the tourism sector once lockdowns are lifted.

Business • 08 Feb 21

Catherine Martin launched the new €55m tourism fund today (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

New €55m fund to aid tourism businesses hit by pandemic

A new €55m fund to assist tourism businesses that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic has been launched today.

Business • 01 Feb 21

Room occupancy fell from 73% in 2019 to 30% last year as international visitor numbers plummeted and indigenous tourism faced restrictions

Hotels & guesthouses saw revenues fall €2.6bn in 2020

Hotels and guesthouses saw revenues fall by €2.6 billion last year, according to the Irish Hotels Federation, as Covid-19 limited the entire hospitality sector for most of 2020.

Business • 07 Jan 21