Deregulation of selfcatering accommodation

[john]

Fáilte Ireland has recently sent out a letter to all registered self-catering accommodation providers in the country, advising them that they will no longer regulate this industry. :eek: The main reason for deregulation has been the massive growth in this sector over recent years.
The main points arising from this Fáilte Ireland decision are as follows: the industry will become self-regulating
it is proposed that a ‘Customer Charter’ will be developed by the ISCF (Irish Self Catering Federation) which fee’s will be applicable for members
it is also open to other bodies to develop their own ‘Customer Charter’
Tourism Ireland will promote the activities undertaken by ISCF to regulate the industry
the 2/3/4 star grading system will be gone
their will be no more fee’s to Fáilte Ireland
their will be no regional or national self-catering promotional material

I would like to know where this leaves the smaller ONE & TWO unit selfcatering providers? I am planning to attend a meeting organised by CLE – the National LEADER Organisation next Tuesday and it would be HEAR your opinions on this matter!:) Is this good, bad or even it won't make much of a change to YOU. Either way, let us all know.

[Mrs Smith]

I have seen a few articles in the Irish Times and the Indepenent over the last two weeks and they all seem to agree (including Irish Self Catering Fed) that this decision will a detertrimental impact on this industry. Particularly the independent one off units/cottages. It just amazes me that a decision like this can be issued in the peak of the summer season without no aparent consultation with the industry. from what I have read Mary Powers from ISCF seems to be surprised by it all, even though they are the body supposed to be implementing this new 'voluntary charter'??? Whatever that will mean.
We have worked hard to develop our small business to have four star units and been paying fees to this body (FI) that suddenly decide that after years of tip-toeing around the unapproved accommodation issue:
* leave us with no grading! :mad: 4 stars means ZERO
* the door is opened wide for all unapproved to volunteer to a charter and as a result bring down the standards/reputation of all the Irish SC providers
* leaving all the BIG providers with more than 8 houses with an approval system in place
* and best of all we no longer have a National Tourism Body to promote our accommodation, no more brochures, no more...:mad: i'm just getting more annoyed!!!!
We have heard so much about Shannon Airport, but this is nothing to the National media... BUT it has the potential to drive the vast majority of the 2,000+ RURAL accommodation business out.
Thanks to the FI we are all relegated to a lower division & Irish tourism will be the big loser...

I would like to hear more about this issue and whether further supports will be put in place by local tourism agencies to assist and maybe even come up with there own voluntary charter.:confused:

[AlicesLoft]

It seems to me that this deregulation has left small self-catering buisnesses high and dry with no national grading/approval,no blanket advertising and we are lost as to what advertising company to go with.Every company that comes in the post has "self-catering "in its title ,all claim to have taken over from Board Failte and all claim to guarantee a good return.Who do we turn to for advice on these advertising companys?:confused:

[admin]

I realise now that Fáilte Irl have rowed back on their hasty decision to impliment this de-regulation of the self-catering accommodation sector. :p

Selfcatering providers! What is happening?
Have you received any correspondance in the post or via e-mail?
Which companies do you use or wonder consider reputable to market your self-catering accommodation?

:rolleyes:

[john]

I have read on the Fáilte Ireland web-site that they are rolling out a series of workshops to inform the wider self-catering accommodation industry about a new regime of approvals, standards & promotion for the future. :eek:

Further details can be read by following this link (http://www.failteireland.ie/About-Us/News-and-Events/Self-Catering-Workshop-Taking-Place-in-Your-Area)to the news item on the FI web-site and also see the self-catering federations view on the matter by clicking here (http://www.iscf.ie/).

It is unfortunate that the date set for the Cavan meeting clashes with our Networking Study Trip to NI. I would urge you to review the options of other dates for these workshops being held in Mullingar and/or in Sligo. Either way, I would like to invite anyone involved in the self-catering industry to share their views on the new changes!
Have you been informed already about these workshops? and perhaps those residing in the far South of Ireland please share us with details of the new approvals system?.