Jim Murphy - PREM Group’s Managing Director

On the 13th June PREM Group launched a customer feedback tool on our Days Hotel Ireland website (see my Blog dated 13/06/2008) .We believe that we are the first Irish hotel chain to post real live guest reviews on our own website .Days Hotel Dublin Airport was the first to trial this initiative and it is great to see the guest reviews starting to come through . You can see these guest comments at www.dayshoteldublinairport.com simply click on the ‘reviews’ button . This feedback is usefully for our future guests to get a feel for our hotels before booking , but it also gives us some very valuable feedback on our business and how we can improve .The guest review facility will be rolled on all our Days Hotel and Inn websites in the next few weeks .We will also provide this service on some of our hotel websites in the UK and Belgium in the near future .

Last Friday ,as the results came in, I was a little disappointed that Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty . But over the weekend as I listened to the various opinions I began to wonder whether the NO vote was such a bad thing after all . What has really struck struck me more than anything has been the total lack of planning by the powers of be for the possibility that this treaty would be defeated by the Irish electorate . Surely in a closely fought contest there was always the possibility that the No’s would win and and a plan should have been put in place for that eventuality .

So we now have a situation where an estimated three million Irish voters look likely to have plunged the European Union, a bloc of nearly 500 million people, into chaos by their rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. Is it our fault that we have expressed our democratic right and rejected this treaty . Regardless whether you were for or against this Treaty ,those people charged for bringing this to a public vote should have prepared for either one of the two outcomes . So when we see reports of the European Union being plunged into chaos ,we should not blame the Irish public but those people who did not consider this out come and who failed to have the plan B ready .

Ireland is the only country in Europe to hold a referendum on the treaty. That’s because in order to accept some of the changes in power from Dublin to Brussels, the Irish Constitution must be changed.

Of course, the treaty’s proponents rightly pointed out that few countries in Europe have benefited from the EU’s largesse more than than Ireland. More than three decades of subsidies from the EU, in part, helped transform Ireland from Europe’s sick man into its most prosperous country. Now Irish supporters of the treaty are rightly worried that their influence in Europe will be badly diminished.

So what’s next? Brian Cowen will have to go to next week’s meeting in Brussels embarrassed that his attempts to convince voters of the treaty’s merits have failed. The bigger impact is, of course, on the credibility and future of the EU itself. But going back to the drawing board will prove difficult as the Lisbon treaty was already the product of years of tortuous negotiations.

In the meantime PREM Group ,like a lot of Irish company’s ,will continue to grow our business throughout Europe .We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the UK,France and Belgium and look forward to opening Hotels in Germany and the Netherlands in the near future . We will continue to do business while we let our politicians deal with the wishes of the people . Maybe next time they won’t take those wishes for granted .

PREM Group have just launched an online customer feedback tool on all our Days Hotel Ireland websites.I believe we are the first hotel chain to post real live guest reviews on our own website (I know other third party websites such as booking.com and tripadvisor.com are doing it, but the individual hotel chains aren’t). The process works as follows: 2-3 days after the guest has stayed, our system will send them an automated e-mail from the hotel, requesting feedback on various aspects of their stay. The feedback is then automatically sent to the General Manager for review. He can also contact the guest if any serious issue has arisen. The reviews are then responded to by the GM and posted live on the hotel website. Research shows that 61% of guests now rate customer reviews as their number one influential factor when booking a hotel.

The reviews will be rolling, and will be continually updated as new comments are added.

The Days Hotel Dublin Airport is the first hotel to go live today . We plan to roll this facility out across our portfolio over the coming months .You can see how the reviews are going in Dublin Airport by logging on to www.dayshotelsireland.com

Congratulations to Sean O’Keefe and his team at Days Hotel Kilkenny for organising the Teddy Bears Picnic charity event . 

I have to applaud the President of the Irish Hotels Federation for coming out and commenting on the strike action by CIE train drivers . This type of unofficial action  should not be condoned when the traveling public are been  held to ransom . The following is the release from the IHF today .

 The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today slammed the unofficial strike action by CIE drivers stating that it is causing major inconvenience to travellers and threatening the tourism industry on the eve of one of the most important holiday weekends of the year. It called on the parties involved to have the maturity to face up to their responsibilities and to immediately ensure the resumption of full train services while seeking a resolution of the dispute. The general public and businesses nationwide are being seriously inconvenienced and losing valuable business as a result of this ridiculous action. “The irresponsible actions of those involved are having a real damaging impact on the general public and businesses - there has to be a wake up call on the parties involved to immediately resume full services while getting down to resolving the dispute,” says Matthew Ryan, IHF President. According Mr Ryan, this irresponsible action is having a major impact on one of the busiest bank holidays of the year as there is no certainty on potential travel services. “We have already had to endure major disruption over the past week. Cancellations are rife not only in the hotel sector but across concerts and other business events due to people not being able to get to Dublin or down to Cork or Kerry. In particular visitor figures are visibly down in the affected areas on the train routes to Cork and Kerry and Dublin. This weekend is a crucial bank holiday weekend for people wishing to go away and a highlight in the tourism season’s calendar.” The IHF states that is it unbelievable that this issue has been allowed to continue. There is an onus on the State, Irish Rail and the trade unions involved to ensure a reliable transport service and given there is a national emphasis on getting people to consider public transport over private vehicles, it is incredulous that this situation has been allowed to go on. People can only seriously consider opting for public transport when there is certainty of service and a confidence in public transport. “This action is taking place at a time when we are trying to build a regional tourism product against intense competition from other destinations. Such action is very damaging to the industry perception both here and overseas as we try to encourage both domestic and foreign business. The consequences for the livelihoods of those in the industry are very real with jobs now being put at risk in the most affected areas,” says Matthew Ryan. The IHF represents 1,000 hotels and guesthouses nationwide.

• The CSO figures published last week on travel to Ireland, and on Irish travel abroad, during 2007 provide many points of interest.
• There were just over 8 million overseas visits to the Republic of Ireland, an increase of 4% on 2006, and a new record number.  Within that figure however were 422,000 same-day visitors, so the actual number spending more than one day was 7.6 million, also up just over 4% on 2006.
• Continuing a trend of recent years however the average length of stay dropped 4% to 7.3 nights, down from 7.6 nights in 2006.
• By area, there was mixed news, with a drop of 1% in visitor numbers from our largest market the UK at just over 4 million visitors.  Continental Europe powered ahead again by 13.5% to 2.6 million.  The US and Canada also reached record numbers, up 2% to almost 1.1 million visitors.  Visitor numbers from other areas remained static.
• The reason they came is interesting:
  - 15%, or 1.2 million came for business purposes
  - 28%, or 2.2 million came to visit friends and relatives (VFR)
  - 50%, or just over 4 million came for holiday, leisure or recreational activities (HLR)
  - The remaining 7%, over half a million, had some other purpose in mind.  You’d wonder what!
• There was year on year growth of 10% in business travel, 7% in the HLR sector, while the VFR sector actually declined by over 3%.  Over a 5 year period, from 2003, business travel has grown by 42%, VFR by 29% and the HLR sector by a more modest 21%.
• On the revenue side in 2007 it reached €4.9 billion, up 4.5% on the previous year.  (This figure by the way includes fares paid to Irish carriers).  Basically the increase in visitor numbers drove the revenue growth, as the average spend per visitor in current terms was unchanged from 2006.

  While there was a small growth in average spend by British visitors it did not match inflation.  There was a significant decline in the average visitor spend by Europeans (-9%), which can be largely attributed to a shortening length of stay, down from 11.2 nights to 9.6 nights.

  Overall revenue from North Americans was just ahead of 2006 reflecting the slight growth in visitor numbers.  Perhaps surprisingly, given the weakness of the dollar, there was only a small drop in their trip and daily spend.

• Where our overseas visitors stayed is interesting, with hotels continuing to gain share while there was a drop in nights spent in B&B’s and with friends or relatives.
• When it comes to travelling its hard to beat the Irish though.  While overseas visitor spending in Ireland has grown by €1 billion over the past 5 years, spending by the Irish travelling abroad increased by that amount in 2007 alone.  It has increased by €2 billion over the past 5 years.
• The domestic market is vital to the tourism industry, particularly to the carriers who have a growing dependence on Irish business.  Last year over half (53%) of Irish carrier receipts came from the outbound market, whereas just 6 years ago the outbound share was less than 40%.  Receipts accruing to Irish carriers last year from overseas visitors while well up, are less than they were in 2001, perhaps reflecting the low fares regime.
• Much food for thought there, what with oil approaching $130 a barrel, and Goldman Sachs predicting the possibility of it reaching $200.  Were that to happen and be sustained, then low air fares as we knew them would be a thing of the past.  That would not be good news and would present an entirely new set of challenges.

 
Irish Tourist Industry Confederation

 The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today launched its ‘Yes to Europe!’ campaign in support of the Lisbon Treaty to ensure Ireland remains fully engaged with the EU. The Federation’s 1,000 members have joined forces to urge their 60,000 employees throughout the country to vote ‘YES’ in recognition of the tremendous opportunities a strong and efficient Europe offers the hospitality sector. With total tourism revenues increasing to e6.5 billion in 2007, the sector now represents 4% of Ireland’s Gross National Product (GNP).  According to Matthew Ryan, President, IHF, “Ireland has established a tremendous level of goodwill within Europe and has long been regarded as a welcoming country for visitors and overseas workers. The foundation of the Irish tourist brand is our people and our open, friendly and welcoming attitude. From a hospitality and tourism perspective, a resounding ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Treaty will substantiate this reputation in the eyes of the other 26 member states.”             “No industry better represents what EU membership has done for Ireland than the hotels sector. On June 12th, there can be no standing still. We can take a step forward or a step back. We in the Irish Hotels Federation appealing to voters to say yes to a more effective Europe in which a confident and prosperous Ireland plays a full part.”  Mr Ryan, states, “In the last 10 years Ireland has doubled its exports to other EU states (from e44 billion to e87 billion) and in the same period the revenue from mainland European tourists who visited Ireland has almost trebled to e1.6bn. Ireland’s active and positive involvement in the development of the EU continues to be a major attractor of foreign direct investment. It is important that Ireland’s positive support of the development of the EU continues. Anything other than a decisive ‘yes’ in the referendum would undermine the international perception of Ireland as a desirable place to visit and in which to do business.”  As part of the Business Alliance for Europe, the IHF believes the strengthened and reformed institutions arising from the Treaty will allow the EU to achieve greater levels of economic prosperity and to face more effectively the challenges of development and enlargement. By playing a positive role in shaping Europe’s future, Ireland protects its status as a desirable location for both existing and future foreign investment by businesses seeking a foothold in the European market.  

Our Irish hotels have recently become part of the Wyndham Worldwide loyalty programme, which allows our guests to earn airline miles or Wyndham rewards points for car rentals and shopping vouchers for a host of Irish stores including Brown Thomas, Debenhams and Starbucks. However, the best rewards I believe, are the opportunities to get free night stays at any of the 4,000 Days Inns worldwide. They have some great locations, popular with the Irish leisure guest including New York, Florida and San Fransisco.Click on the following video to see what Days Inns have to offer in America.

You can treat your family to a great (cost effective) holiday as payback for all those nights you’ve been away travelling on business.

Guests can join at www.wyndhamrewards.com/ie

Days Hotel Dublin Airport has just launched a new car parking service at Santry Cross near Dublin Airport . 

Secure car parking is available for hotel residents and non residents who wish to leave their car while travelling abroad.  The rate per day is €6 which includes the use of our courtesy coach to and from Dublin airport.

To avail of a pick up service from the airport please dial extension 120 from the courtsey phone in the arrivals hall (to the right as you enter from baggage re-claim) and make your way to courtesy coach area zone 2 - the bus will then collect you within 15 minutes.

The Hotel also offers very compettive overnight rates .To make a booking and to secure  our best rate guarantee you can visit the hotels website at www.dayshoteldublinairport.com .

Please note that the courtesy coach operates from 4am - 9.45pm daily.

 As a member of the Irish Hotels Federation I want to support there call for a yes vote in the up coming referendum on the Lisbon treaty . The following is the press release issued by the IHF . The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is a member of the Business Alliance for Europe which today launched its campaign for a yes vote on the Lisbon Reform Treaty. In supporting the initiative, the IHF calls on its 1,000 member hotels and guesthouses and their 60,000 employees to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.  John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, states, “It is vital that Ireland remains fully engaged with the EU given the tremendous opportunities that a strong and efficient Europe offers Irish businesses. In the last 10 years Ireland has doubled its exports to other EU states (from e44bn to e87bn) and in the same period the revenue from mainland European tourist who visited Ireland has almost trebled to e1.6bn.”              “Ireland’s active and positive involvement in the development of the EU continues to be a major attractor of foreign direct investment. It is important that Ireland’s positive support of the development of the EU continues. Anything other than a decisive ‘yes’ in the referendum would undermine the international perception of Ireland as a desirable place to visit and in which to do business.”  The IHF believes the strengthened and reformed institutions arising from the Treaty will allow the EU to achieve greater levels of economic prosperity and to face more effectively the challenges of development and enlargement. By playing a positive role in shaping Europe’s future, Ireland protects its status as a desirable location for both existing and future foreign investment by businesses seeking a foothold in the European market.  The Lisbon Reform Treaty includes a commitment to cooperate with emerging economies which in future will expand the possibilities for future trade and exports including tourism opportunities. The benefits arising from the Treaty will also generate additional opportunities for Irish business through greater realisation of the internal market.  “Ireland has established a tremendous level of goodwill within Europe and has long been regarded as a welcoming country for visitors and overseas workers. The foundation of the Irish tourist brand is our people and our open, friendly and welcoming attitude. From a hospitality and tourism perspective, a resounding ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Treaty will substantiate this reputation in the eyes of the other 26 member states,” adds Mr Power.