Don’t damage city’s reputation say tourism chiefs

Date Published: 23-Jan-2009

TOURISM bosses have issued a stark warning to Galway hotels, bars and other businesses in the hospitality sector not to jeopardise the city’s reputation abroad by overcharging and ‘cashing-in’ during the Volvo Ocean Race this Summer.

Fáilte Ireland West expect up to 140,000 visitors in the city for two weeks in May and June which represents a unique opportunity to showcase Galway and get repeat tourism business.

However, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland West, Ray Rooney warned businesses that if they overcharge and fail to offer a warm welcome, the city’s reputation will be sullied which could cause damage to the long-term future of the tourism sector in Galway and the West.

Already 30 hotels have signed up to an ‘accommodation charter’ where they have agreed to offer fair pricing during the stopover, and others have been urged to follow their lead as there are fears that negative publicity internationally about poor service and overcharging could damage the city’s bid to hold the stopover again in four years time.

“I would like to emphasise the extreme importance and enormous responsibility of the hospitality sector during the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover in Galway, especially the…