Bookings for 09

[csmith]

Ladies have you all read the article in the Irish Times April 16th on 20% increase on bookings in B&Bs in 09. Do you all agree with this? As for myself I am finding the French bookings (anglers) are well up, English anglers are the same as 08 and all others are the same as last year. Still lots of free beds, however, it is only April. Let us all know how you are doing and don't forget to log on to http://www.iia.ie/net-visionary/vote/25 and vote for talk tourism.

[Geraldine O'Reilly]

As of to date I can't see any increase in the Bed & Breakfast business. I am not sure where Town & Country Homes are coming up with their figures. It is our repeat business that keeps us afloat not new bookings. As you say Catherine, it is still early in the year and we must remain positive and ready for the knock on the door.

[Pearl]

As regards my bookings. In the last 2 weeks things are looking up for my
Bed and Breakfast but there are still lots of vacancies. As regards my
Self Catering sadly bookings have never been so poor. The English market
is dead. On the other hand all we need is sunshine. On Sunday due to the
beautiful day I had two families came to play Tennis and Crazy Golf and
they had a great time . Hope the sun shines all summer and people will holiday in Ireland.
Pearl Kells
www.archesfarmhouse.com
info@archesfarmhouse.com

[ODD]

While overall our general accommodation bookings are down (definately not up 20% as Town and Country claim their members are getting) we have noticed that weekend bookings are definately up for B&B accommodation from couples and small groups of customers travelling to Out-Doors and Dirty for activities.
Significantly, this would seem to be at the expense of the better hotels in the county where many of ODD's customers chose to stay the last two years.

There is a continuing demand for activity breaks, and no longer any difficulty convincing customers of the value of a package of activities with quality B&B accommodation. Everything now is about value, something good B&B has always provided.

So maybe every accommodation provider should create an activity break which could help sell rooms that might otherwise be getting cobwebs.

An activity need not be physically demanding - it doesnt even need to be physical!

The Discover Ireland web site has a facility to promote 'packaged' breaks
so there's no excuse not to try something, no matter how much out of your comfort zone it puts you at the start.

We also hear that the family caravan is making a comeback - maybe thats worth researching if you have a potential parking site.

The current economic debacle has us all wondering whats coming next, and acting like squirrels hiding acorns before winter. Even though spending is down, people generally are desperate to get away, have a bit of fun, do something different to forget their troubles. There is potential business out there - and B&Bs ought to be able to benefit.

You can see what ODD can offer your guests by logging on to http://www.odd.iewww.odd.ie

or give us a call on 049 9523 877

ODD - Highly Commended, 2009 JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business

[AlicesLoft]

I would agree with the our Cavan providers in that the 20% increase is not been reflected in the Monaghan area.I would probably be slightly up on last year for the period Jan to May but so far June is very quiet .July / August the peak months are looking good and fingers crossed will carry into Sept /Oct.
Just to let our Bog Snorkelling friends know that we will be entering in the Castleblayney May Day Parade and hope to offically launch soon .
Well done John and the gang for been shortlisted for the IIA awards,we are all looking forward to hopefully a day out.

[Virginian]

I quite agree with Janet of ODD, people are more and more becoming interested in 'Activity breaks' where this region has so much going for it in terms of the great outdoors.

[john]

This discussion commenced following a press release by the Town and Country Homes stating that 20% increase in bookings for 2009 earlier this month. An article reflecting a more realistic reflection of the industry was published in the Irish Times edition 24thApril '09. You can read this article here.

The same author also published his own experience of staying in the Irish B&B and reported his experience of the hospitality of a typical B&B; see here and it includes some rates which may be interesting for some.

This article may not make you feel 100% better about your accommodation business prospects for 2009? BUT it is realistic... Thats my opinion.

I do have to agree with ODD, that there is a greater need than ever to get away and actually do some kind of activity. The other thing is that young people are still spending, as they do not have the same worries as the older more settled couples and they want things to do...

[BedBreakfast Monaghan]

Yes! Bookings are down and particularly the English market has almost disappeared. There is no getting away from the downturn and the 'swine' appears to have created a bit of World wide hysteria... Not good the tourism & travel business generally.

On the other hand! Yes on the other hand, this is our advantage for promoting stay at home holidays Opportunity knocks!

I do like the ideas of working together and making activity holiday deals... Its all well and fine talking, but doing is another thing. Sorry

We all have to do something... What? How? & How much

I do think that the article about the increase in B&B bookings for the year was a bit OTT, but at least there are signs that T&C homes are changing to meet the WWW clients head on. ALthough it has not filtered down to me yet! fingers crossed that it will

[MargaretinBavaria]

Obviously we are in a very different area but nonetheless: rural, quite remote and very unknown. We have seen a very definite upturn in bookings for our holiday apartments since about mid April. We have sold a lot more nights this year than last although our revenue is only up by a small amount - this is due to the fact that this time last year we had 5 family apartments and since then we have added 4 one bedroom apartments, obviously with a lower nightly price. We have a higher than usual number of bookings from North America - and quite a lot at short notice, whereas our experience of that market is that they usually plan up to a year ahead. We also have more Irish bookings than usual and the British (usually 50% of our bookings) are booking in greater numbers again, having been very quiet in Jan-Feb, usually our peak booking time.
So the business is there but it does not fall in your lap. I would guess that I spend at least 1-2 hours a day working on enquiries, bookings and tweaking our internet presence. If your area is not well known, you have to make it well known - we have virtually no support in tackling the foreign market from the local tourist bodies. With 36 beds, we are big enough to justify a lot of effort. I realise it would be more difficult for people with just a few rooms and other work to do (although we have that too!).
Anyway, I just thought I would post an alternative to all the doom and gloom about tourism in the press!

[dub1]

Only now do reservations (for Dublin) for this year seem to be equal to 2008 and maybe even better depending how low room rates are dropped.