B&B IRELAND, which represents almost half of bed and breakfast owners, said bookings had risen by 40 per cent between January and March, compared with the same period last year.
Its chief executive Helena Healy said the all-island body had received about 10,000 bookings in that period from tour operators. Ms Healy said consumer bookings had increased by 67 per cent in the same period.
B&B Ireland was formed in a merger of Town and Country Homes and Irish Farmhouse Holidays. It was officially launched yesterday by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the new Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin.
Ms Healy said last year had been very difficult for tourism operators but the agency’s website had helped to tap into the tour operator business and the signs were good for the season ahead.
Fáilte Ireland’s research on the 2009 season found that B&Bs had an average occupancy rate of 31 per cent last year, compared with more than 35 per cent in 2008.
In comparison, some 55 per cent of hotel rooms were occupied last year, compared with 58 per cent in 2008.
Many B&B owners have been struggling to compete with hotels since they began to cut their prices and introduce special offers in the past year.
