Reducing trading hours and embracing artificial intelligence are among the cost-cutting measures being considered by Clare tourism businesses.
Although domestic tourism numbers have hit a 10-year high in this county, hotels, restaurants and other businesses claim they aren’t reaping the benefits.
A total of 810,000 Irish visitors stayed overnight in Clare last year.
The data comes from the Central Statistics Office which has found that domestic tourism was up 20% here in 2024- indicating a 10-year-high for the county.
It suggests that Clare is one of the most popular destinations for Irish holidaymakers with only Galway, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Dublin and Donegal seeing greater numbers.
Despite the positive outlook, many traders claim it’s not translating into customers coming through the door.
Liam O’Brien of the Doolin Ferry Company says while more local visitors are coming in, tourism from the US appears to be down.
A recent survey from the Restaurants Association of Ireland found that 65% of businesses reported a decline in financial performance last year compared to 2023.
Michael Vaughan of Vaughan’s Lodge Hotel in Lahinch says automating certain jobs isn’t outside the realm of possibility when it comes to cutting costs.
Inflation rose to 2.2% on Thursday, making May the second month in a row when inflation has been at or above 2%.
Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock and Chairperson of the Clare Tourism Advisory Board Sean Lally it’s become “far too expensive” to run businesses in Ireland.
