The changing nature of Irish tourism is nowhere more obvious than in relation to traditional bed-and-breakfast accommodation. The number of B&Bs is down. And a survey found that up to 60 per cent of operators expect their businesses to close when they retire because of a lack of interest from family members. In spite of that, the businesses are profitable and their owners expect an increase in the number of visitors this year.
There is no doubt that running a successful bed-and -breakfast establishment is hard work. And competition from new budget hotels, built with the assistance of tax breaks, has eaten into their client base, while the emergence of the short-stay holiday phenomenon has mainly benefited city areas. Because of these factors, the Town and Country Homes Association, the largest representative body for B&Bs, has urged the Government to fund a strategy for product development, training and marketing in the next National Development Plan.
The association should be pushing an open door. At a time when the nature of farming has been transformed by Cap reforms and decoupling payments, there is an urgent need for long-term planning in the development of rural economies. This can best be achieved through local co-operation. The development of tourism, involving package-based B&B services, should form a key element of this strategy. The Town and Country Homes Association wants to develop rural-based, package-style holidays through which B&B owners would offer activities such as walking, angling, golfing and cycling in addition to the provision of accommodation.
This type of holiday is successful in parts of France, Italy and Spain, particularly in relation to walking and cycling. And it would add an important new and personal dimension to Irish tourism. Already, there are indications that some local communities have embraced the concept. New walking routes have been agreed with local farmers in the Newport/Mulranny area of Mayo and these trails may shortly be extended into Achill. Voluntary co-operation across interest groups is vital in the development of such amenities and it offers benefits to all.
Domestic tourism has grown rapidly during the past five years, partly fuelled by the ownership of holiday homes and the development of low-cost hotels. The construction of these units has generated extensive off-farm employment, but this cannot continue indefinitely. A greater number of overseas visitors must be encouraged to explore rural Ireland. And a more co-ordinated approach to the development of the B&B sector would be of considerable benefit.