1,000 hoteliers to boost tourism in Spring

Date Published: 20-Nov-2009

GALWAY’S tourism industry is to receive a major early season boost next year – from up to a 1,000 hoteliers who are set to converge on the city for a conference.

The Irish Hotels Federation’s 2010 Annual Conference and Showtel Trade Exhibition will take place in the Radisson Blu hotel on March 1 and 2.

This follows on the news that the Labour Party conference will bring up to 1,100 delegates to the city in April.

The IHF is encouraging its 1,000 members across the country to take part in the 2010 event and find out which of the latest services, products and trends can give them the edge over their competition.

Key decision makers from hotels and guesthouses across the country will be in attendance at the next year’s event, making the exhibition the essential platform for suppliers to the hospitality sector and allowing companies to showcase new and existing product and solutions to a targeted audience.

According to the IHF, key areas of focus for members in the current environment continue to be the delivery of the highest quality of service, exceeding customer expectations and providing memorable experiences for guests visiting Irish hotels and guesthouses.

“As domestic and international competition intensifies, Irish hotels and guesthouses are increasingly seeking to provide visitors with a modern and fresh experience throughout every aspect of their stay.

Showtel 2010 helps address this need by providing an exclusive forum for hoteliers to meet with suppliers of products and services to the hospitality industry,” said Stephanie Howard, IHF Showtel Organiser.

“The IHF’s 2010 annual conference will focus on helping hotels and guesthouses plan their way through the current economic difficulties and face the challenges that lie ahead. Given the high level of interest in next year’s event, we expect that all stands will be booked well in advance of the conference, so we would advise all interested suppliers to contact the IHF as soon as possible to guarantee a place for 2010.

“Last year’s Showtel was an enormous success with over 400 hotels participating, and we’re looking forward to growing attendance levels for 2010. The exhibition is a must for any competitive supplier of goods or services to our sector.

“It gives companies an ideal opportunity to meet face to face with senior decision makers such as hotel and guesthouse owners and general managers,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has confirmed its 65th National Conference will be held at NUI Galway from April 16-18 next with an expected attendance of 1,100 delegates as well as additional observers and members of the press. The venue will be the Bailey Allen Hall of NUI Galway.

City councillor Niall McNelis said: “The facilities at NUIG are very impressive and the Labour Party in Galway is thrilled that we were able to succeed in bringing the conference to Galway. This is recognition of the strength of the Party in Galway and its achievements as a campaigning Party over many years.

“The new facilities at NUIG were a crucial factor in Labour’s decision and we are delighted to be among the college’s first national conferences.

The facility is the most recent conference venue in the West of Ireland. The state of the art multi-purpose centre can accommodate conferences of up to 1,400 delegates and boasts a number of ancillary breakout rooms.

"It is vital in seeking to restart the economy, especially in Galway and the surrounding region, that we as a city continue to be able to attract the kind of high level meeting that this represents. The kind of facility such as this one at NUIG can help drive the local economy forward, and I look very much forward to the weekend of April 16, 2009," he added.