Port of Antwerp MSC Container Terminal

The port of Antwerp has benefited from recent, sustained increases in traffic to Europe.  Antwerp is Europe’s second largest port and continues to maintaining its position ahead of Hamburg and Marseilles.  In the first quarter of 2010 the harbour handled 42 million tons, an increase of 12.7% on the last three months of 2009.

The container traffic has performed exceptionally well with an increase if 20% over the same period last year.  Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, also enjoyed returns of container traffic to same volume as in the first quarter of 2008.

Shipments of conventional cargoes including fruit, steel and wood to Europe reduced by 12% against same period of 2009, though this can largely be accounted for by the significant drop (-21.1%) of steel products.

PREM Group operate 4 hotels and serviced apartments in Antwerp and we are very encouraged by the ports continued success and positive impact on the cities economy.

Amidst all the disruption and chaos caused by the Icelandic Volcanic Ash it is heartening to see so much support to stranded travellers.  I’ve heard many reports of initiatives to help ease the frustration including free entry to National Trust properties in the UK.

To avail of the offer, visitors simply have to show their international passport and flight ticket at the ticket office of any participating National Trust location.  Over the years the National Trust has shed its image as custodian of country homes like the excellent Longshaw Estate near Sheffield to include a diverse range of treasures such as the Birmingham Back to Backs, the birthplace of Sir Paul McCartney in Liverpool and the Holy Jesus Hospital in Newcastle.  With hundreds of locations across Britain, visitors should find something of interest nearby.

The National Trust intend to allow free entry for as long as the disruption continues.

As part of the worldwide brand refresh our Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels in Belgium and France have received a great new look.

Work has already been completed at the Holiday Inn Hasselt (in time for their 20th Anniversary Celebration), the Holiday Inn Calais, Holiday Inn Brussels-Schuman and Holiday Inn Express Antwerp.

“From changes you can see to ones you can’t” - the brand refresh changes are across the hotel where guests have told us it matters most.  Cosmetic changes include the new brand logo’s appearing everywhere from exterior signage (as above at Holiday Inn Express Antwerp) to stationery and menus.  Changes to guestrooms include new bed linens and a choice of Soft or Firm pillows on every bed.  In the bathroom curved shower curtains give more space and invigorating high pressure shower-heads have been fitted.  Some of the changes you can’t see include natural scents and lobby music by popular artists to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

We have already received fantastic feedback from our guests on the improved look and I’m confident, with the teams continued commitment to provide excellent service, this will help the hotels maintain their preeminent positions in their local markets.

Last week the Holiday Inn Hasselt celebrated its 20th anniversary in style with a reception for some of its most regular guests, bookers and local dignitaries including Hasselt’s Mayor Hilde Claes (top picture with Patrick De Peuter, CEO PREM Group Benelux & France, and Holiday Inn Hasselt General Manager Peter Crauwels). 

The hotel was looking fantastic and showing off its fresh new look.  As part of the Holiday Inn re-launch programme changes have been made inside and out to improve the guest experience from welcoming new signs outside, custom scents and music in the lobby to crisp white linens and perfect pillows on every bed.

Executive Chef Mark Dupont and his talented team pulled out all the stops to create delicious canapés, incredible desserts and an incredible cake.

The team put in an incredible effort making the evening a complete success and I would like to thank each of them for their hard work.

Congratulations to the team and hotel and I wish year every success for the next 20 years.

Today it was announced by the Convention Centre Dublin that they are to welcome the Third European Seating Symposium in September 2011.  With recent reports of international visitor numbers falling 13% in 12 months I welcome this much needed boost for the cities future prospects and the overall convention centre project.

The landmark building now has a list of over 30 confirmed international events with about 4.5 months until its official opening in September.

The symposium is set to attract 500 delegates from across Europe to Dublin for the 3-day event.  Delegates from a diverse range of professions including physiotherapists, engineers, researchers, medical practitioners and scientists will meet to exchange research and ideas.

Although one of the smaller events planned it will provide a much needed boost for Dublin city centre hotels.  It is now upon us all in the industry to ensure they enjoy their visit to Dublin and return again very soon.

Pressure on the Irish Government to axe the €10 tourist tax continues to mount after it was reported 4 million fewer passengers passed through Irish Airports in first 12 months since its introduction.

The government have continued to support the tax claiming the decline in visitor numbers is “an international phenomenon.”  As Ryanair reports, Summer 2010 capacity and traffic as measured across 25 airports is expected to shows growth in all EU countries which have scrapped tourist.  Whilst the 13% slump to Ireland looks set to contine Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Denmark have already begun to see growth in visitor numbers.

In 2009 total tourism revenue collapsed by 17% to €5.2 billion, it’s lowest level since 2004.  With 75% of the total coming from overseas earnings it is a significant contributor to the countries overall economic success.  The tax is believed to have netted only €60m for the government so far.

As Michael O’Leary of Ryanair said “the fact is while the rest of Europe grows, Irish traffic is collapsing because of this tax.”

Help save the Irish Tourism industry and protect 200,000 jobs - join our Axe the Departure Tax Facebook group.

In a report released today by the UK Post Office, Dublin has been confirmed as one of the best value holiday destinations.

Compared against 15 other top European destinations and New York, Dublin was ranked as 6th cheapest.  The report looked at items visitors will typically buy whilst on holiday including drinks, city bus tours, entry to top attractions as well as 2 nights accommodation in a 3* hotel.

On the complete basket of goods and services priced in the report, Dublin was 25% cheaper than London and a staggering 77% better value the New York (all baskets excluded air fares).

Free entry to top attractions including the National Gallery and Museums is a significant competitive advantage over many of our European competitors and I hope Bord Snip do not carry out the recommendation to end this policy.

I’m delighted with the report and hope it helps get the message across to British travellers that Dublin is an excellent value destination and also encourages more people to holiday at home this year.

You can download a copy of the Post Office City Costs Barometer 2010 report here.

I’m very keen the hotels actively participate in their local communities, especially to work with partners to increase visitors to their area which is why I was very please Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort has been announced as the most recent sponsor of the forthcoming Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival.

The hotel is sponsoring the Pat Taaffe Steeplechase, run over 3 miles 1 furlong and one of the highlights of the final day of the festival.

All connections to the Pat Taaffe Steeplechase are within 8 miles of Punchestown and sponsorship of the chase was a natural fit for the hotel.  Commenting on the sponsorship, John Caffrey, Tulfarris General Manager said “it’s a pleasure for Tulfarris to be associated with the Punchestown Festival and we are looking forward to building a long and mutually beneficial relationship between these two high quality venues over years to come.”  His sentiments were echoed by Dick O’Sullivan, Punchestown General Manager who said, “the festival is really shaping up and the likes of Tulfarris in Blessington is an excellent example of how the festivities spill over to local towns, villages and businesses.”

During the festival, guests of Tulfarris Hotel will be enjoying complimentary transfers to and from Punchestown and an exciting entertainment line-up each race evening.  The hotel is already fully booked for this years festival but fantastic Tulfarris Hotel packages are available throughout the summer.

Punchestown Festival is being held April 20th - 24th, click here for further details.

With the IHF, I welcomed the appointment of Mary Hanafin TD as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sports in the middle of March.  Minister Hanafin has a strong record in government and we anticipate she will play an important role focusing policies and initiatives to support our industry.

At last weeks Tourism Forum 2011, organised by the Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA), the Minister stated she intended to “reach out to new and emerging markets in order to encourage new tourists to the island of Ireland.”   I applaud her sentiments but with every country keen to grow visitor numbers we have to do everything we can to position ourselves ahead of the competition.

The industry has worked hard to remain attractive to visitors - we have some of the best room stock in Europe and the feeling of Céad Mile Fáilte in our hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants and bars is stronger than has been in years.  Hotel prices fell 26% in 2009 compared to 2008, the steepest fall of any major European country but the realignment is not delivering a corresponding increase in demand.

John Power, Chief Executive of the IHF, stated last autumn “As an island destination, we need to do everything we can to attract visitors here not create unnecessary barriers that make routes to and from Ireland less attractive. The risk of competitive disadvantage is heightened even more by competitor destinations which have removed travel taxes and other access-related levies and charges in response to their negative economic impact in the current downturn.”

With this, PREM Group have launched a Facebook campaign to “Axe the Departure Tax.”  We intend to add our weight to the considerable body of expert opinion calling on government to abolish the departure tax imposed at Irish airports.  Removing this barrier is an essential step to increase our international competitiveness and to welcome and not penalise our international visitors.

Tourism is Ireland’s largest industry and I firmly believe the government needs to urgently take the initiative to protect the employment of 200,000 people and ensure the ongoing prosperity of our nation.

Please click here to join our Facebook campaign

The Best of Britain & Ireland exhibition was held at Olympia London over St Patricks week.  The Travel Trade Forum on the 17th and 18th March was a great showcase for Ireland.  Being held over St Patrick’s Day gave Tourism Ireland the perfect platform and I was delighted they bought the industry together with such creativity and energy to really present the country to the worlds groups and tours buyers.   Once again we were represented at the Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum by Mary Daly.  As well as showcasing our Irish hotels and Apartments to new buyers, Mary also had the opportunity to recommend Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort in County Wicklow as well as our some of our partner hotels to Minister John Curran TD for an Easter break (pictured above).

The Minister took part in a very interesting panel discussion with the Margaret Hodge, UK Minister for Tourism, Niall Gibbons, CEO Tourism Ireland and Ronan Smyth of the Irish Hotels Federation.   One of the most interesting themes discussed was the perceived lack of value in Ireland and that although Irish hotel accommodation has never been better value, ancillary costs were still too high.  Whilst I agree that may be the case in some areas, I support recent initiatives such as Free Rail Travel for all tourists over 66and encourage Tourism Ireland and the governments continued efforts in addressing the issue.