A HOTEL owner has taken drastic action to overcome the drastic rise in fuel prices – he has started buying petrol and diesel for his guests.
Paul Gill, owner of the Claregalway Hotel in Co Galway, is willing to give free petrol and diesel to his guests so that they can come stay in his hotel.
Mr Gill, who is chairman of the Galway branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, is angry that the Government has done little to help hotels hit by rising fuel costs.
Now he is offering guests a package in his hotel at 2007 prices – and throwing in a voucher for petrol or diesel for €50. That is the extra amount he reckons, on average, his guests have to pay for fuel because of the sharp price rise.
Last year guests at his hotel, about 10km north of Galway city towards Tuam, could stay for three nights for €199 per person sharing, with two dinners, and he is now offering the same terms with his customers getting a €50 voucher for petrol or diesel when they arrive in his hotel.
“The reality is that rising fuel costs are having a serious effect on the home holidaymaker’s market. Many holidaymakers feel that it is more cost-effective to fly to Spain or Portugal on a cheap package deal, than to holiday at home, where petrol costs are now hitting €1.40 a litre. Given the current economic downturn, the Government should be supporting our traditionally consistent industries such as tourism.
“With the right assistance, Irish tourism can continue to perform well and sustain continued growth which will in turn help to re-energise the economy,” he said.
“Since the package went live on Friday we have had a marvellous response which has far exceeded our expectations,” Mr Gill said.