Online system helps surge in BB bookings

INDUSTRY BOOST:A 20 PER CENT increase in the number of BB bookings this year, despite a reduction in visitor numbers, has been welcomed by Fáilte Ireland.

The tourism authority said figures published by the Town and Country Homes Association (TCH) were “very positive” and that it was “delighted” with the development. According to TCH, which represents 1,100 Irish BBs, bookings from tour operators, which account for 80 per cent of business, have increased by 20 per cent this year, and consumer bookings have gone up 13 per cent.

Tracy Coughlan of Fáilte Ireland said BBs are very attractive to certain markets and that it is important to carefully target visitors with the correct product. “We’re trying to help the sector move forward by adding value to it and associating the various areas with added attractions such as fishing, nature or heritage.”

Tourism Ireland says visitor numbers to Ireland could fall by up to 9 per cent this year because of the world economic downturn, which could mean a 15 per cent drop in tourism revenue.

However, TCH chairwoman Kate Burns said a €400,000 investment in an online booking system, which 750 members have subscribed to, has resulted in a surge in overseas interest.

She said that bookings from France had gone up by 22 per cent and bookings from Germany by 10 per cent.“It’s a remarkable turnaround, because consumer bookings were down 30 per cent in January,” she said.

“Around 80 per cent of our bookings come from international clients. Irish people think BBs are a thing of the past, but this is not the case for French, Dutch or German visitors.”

Deirdre Fairbrother, who runs Greenlands BB in Lusk, Co Dublin, said that the “céad míle fáilte” offered by Irish BBs still appeals to continental Europeans and that having an online presence has been a major help. “The online booking system has been a lifesaver,” she said. “Without it we could have been in trouble.”