HOTELS CONFERENCE:THE GOVERNMENT is standing by its commitment to invest €800 million in tourism under the National Development Plan over the next five years, despite the economic downturn, according to Minister for Tourism, Martin Cullen.
The Minister told a meeting of international hoteliers in Dublin this week that although 2008 is challenging for the tourism sector, the fundamentals of the industry remain strong and it can look forward to continued growth.
Irish hoteliers, he said, are competing in a domestic and international market in which consumers are increasingly demanding, expecting Wi-Fi technology, leisure facilities and flexible choice dining as standard.
But Irish hotels have responded well, creating some of Europe's most modern and well-equipped accommodation through branded and Irish-owned hotels, he added.
The Minister was speaking at a gathering of chief executives of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) at the newly renovated Westbury hotel. The GHA is the world's largest alliance of independent hotel groups, with a portfolio of more than 150 hotels and 45,000 guest rooms.
Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, which has 11 hotels in Ireland, the UK and the United States, including the flagship Westbury, announced at the conference that it has become the latest member of the alliance.
Jurys Doyle's chief executive, Bill Walshe, said the company is repositioning as a luxury brand and will be launching a new brand direction and image campaign later this year.
As part of this change the group's properties are undergoing a multimillion-euro renovation programme that will be completed in spring 2009.
The Westbury has undergone a complete renovation and last month saw its Wilde restaurant reopen.
Walshe said joining the GHA is an important step towards attracting new customers and generating a broader reach for its new brand.
GHA's chief executive, Chris Hartley, said Jurys Doyle was the 10th hotel group to join the alliance, marking an important milestone.
Other member hotel groups are Kempinski Hotels, the Landis Hotels and Resorts, Omni Hotels in the US, Marco Polo Hotels and the Leela Palace Hotels & Resorts.