‘No noticeable increase’ in Galway staycation bookings

There has been no noticeable increase in the volume of ‘staycationers’ booking holidays in Galway, but local hoteliers are enjoying occupancy levels on a par with last Summer.

It comes as travel website ebookers.ie published a survey claiming there has been a 42% increase in last minute bookings among Irish holidaymakers for Galway hotels in July and August.

However, the Irish Hotels Federation has said the figures are skewed because ebookers are a relatively new entry to the Irish market.

The website’s survey shows that Galway benefitted the least from the heatwave – Donegal bookings were up 800%; Bray, Adare and Kildare up 400%; Killarney up 273%; Limerick up 242%; County Cork up 224% and Westport up 200%.

Other Irish destinations which saw an increase in last minute bookings included Wexford (80%), Sligo (75%) and Dublin (58%). The average increase, according to the report, was 81%.

Jen Quinlan, Marketing Manager with ebookers.ie said: “The unprecedented hot weather we have experienced so far this summer has meant that we have seen a strong increase in the number of bookings for Ireland.

“Oversees bookings are remaining steady, but the heatwave has caused an increase in domestic bookings that is great to see,” said Ms Quinlan.

However, Paul Gill, Chairman of the Galway Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, said there has not been a noticeable increase in ‘staycationers’ locally.

“This might just be a case of ebookers growing their market share a small bit, because they haven’t been that long in the Irish market. We’re not seeing any increase in Irish holidaymakers on the ground.

“Occupancy levels are holding at around 85%, and our members are quite happy with how the summer has gone so far. Hoteliers are very satisfied particularly with the Wednesday to Saturday of Race Week,” said Mr Gill.