"ROTTEN" IS how Killarney hotelier Michael Rosney described 2008 both for weather and business. Trade at Killeen House Hotel, which is run by Mr Rosney and his wife Geraldine, is down by almost a third on 2007.
"A majority in the hotel industry found this to be one of the tougher in recent memory," Mr Rosney says. "With the weak US and UK currency, the economy imploding , bad weather and an increase in food and utility costs, we had an exceedingly tough year overall. The exchange rates make Ireland an incredibly expensive destination."
He says people are cutting their length of stay and are dropping a star of hotel and generally not spending as much.
Killeen House specialises in golf holidays and Mr Rosney has found that the number of corporate clients has decreased. Many are choosing to hold video- conferences with their Irish clients instead of coming to visit in person. "Next year doesn't look much better."
However he is keen to keep his head down and survive the current recession. "In 30 years I was never more focused on cost. I am hyper-conscious of giving value to the market place," he says.
There will be better offers in 2009 than 2005 in order to generate cash flow and survive.
While he cannot afford to cut prices, he will be thinking of value-added incentives to get people to stay with him.
Mr Rosney, who is also the Kerry representative for the Irish Hotels' Federation, stresses the importance of tourism to rural Ireland. "It has replaced the traditional importance of agriculture and has a power to change the social and economic status of all area," he said.
GENEVIEVE CARBERY