Thank you for the warm welcome here this afternoon to the Ardenode Country House Hotel.
Here in the heart of County Kildare, peace and tranquility are the norm and it is difficult to believe that Ballymore Eustace is such a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Dublin City. The Ardenode Country House Hotel is well known for offering guests a warm welcome, fine food and total relaxation. This is bound to continue now that the hotel has had the benefit of a major refurbishment under its owners the Fitzers Catering Group.
Fitzers of course have already built a deserved reputation for delivering the highest standards of catering. This Dublin family business pioneered Irish involvement in the film-catering sector and has been a leader in the industry for the past 20 years. Over those years it has expanded its activities into event catering. It has been my pleasure to have personally experienced its high quality food and service during Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2004 and at many other events down through the years.
From its restaurants at the National Gallery, Temple Bar, Dawson Street and Chatham Street in Dublin to its many enterprises in providing event catering, Fitzers shows itself to be at the cutting edge of professional catering. And so, I am delighted to participate in the official opening of this latest venture which brings the Group into the area of hotel operations for the first time.
While peace and relaxation are among the main attractions of the Ardenode Country House Hotel, guests can choose from a very wide range of activities available in this part of County Kildare. They include no fewer than ten golf courses within a 15 mile radius, the very best of horse racing at The Curragh and Punchestown, as well as water sports on the Liffey and Blessington lakes. Visitors here can also experience motor sport at Mondello Park and a range of leisure activities including hill walking and equestrian sports. And of course Powerscourt Gardens and the National Stud are also close at hand.
This mirrors the wealth of attractions that are available to both domestic and overseas tourists throughout the country. Leisure activities are a very significant factor in the Irish holiday experience and it is good to see that such activities are expanding as we prepare for the 2007 tourist season.
The St. Patrick’s Festival next month marks the traditional opening of our tourist season and is itself a busy time for hotels. The Festival now attracts an estimated 40,000 visitors to parades and other events throughout the country.
Once again this year, Tourism Ireland will host a series of special events for the travel trade and for potential visitors in 25 cities around the globe over the St. Patrick’s holiday period, including the St Patrick’s Festival in London, that once again promises to be a vibrant, colourful affair. Special promotional events will also take place in the US and Australia where the biggest St. Patrick’s Day lunch in the world will be held on the 75th anniversary of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The continuous promotion of tourism is essential to further develop the industry. As a dynamic driver of our economy tourism accounts for 3.1% of GNP annually. Industry revenues in 2006 increased to €5.9 billion and employment in the sector grew to 249,000. Last year we welcomed a record 7.4 million visitors from overseas.
The Government is also determined that this support for tourism should continue into the future. The €184 billion National Development Plan published last month incorporates a Tourism Programme under which a total of €800 million will be invested in the industry over the next seven years. Tourism will also benefit from other Programmes in the NDP.
The hotel sector is of course a key player in tourism growth. Over the past five years investment in new hotels and the refurbishment of existing properties has exceeded €2.2 billion. Last year saw the opening of more than 50 new hotels with a total bed capacity in excess of 5,000 rooms. This high level of investment is set to continue in 2007 and 2008, when more than 60 new hotels are scheduled to come on stream.
The entry of so many new hotels into the marketplace has naturally resulted in more intensive competition, which, in the final analysis has been to the benefit of the consumer. It is good to note that many of the new enterprises, such as the hotel which we are opening to-day, are owned and promoted by Irish families who can compete with confidence with the many international hotels brands which have entered the market.
This fine new hotel boasts extensive banqueting and meeting facilities, landscaped gardens and 17 refurbished luxury guestrooms. I commend The Fitzers Catering Group on this €2 million investment in the refurbishment and extension of the much loved Ardenode Country House.
May I also congratulate Sharon, Paula and Noeleen together with the staff of the hotel, on providing a new and very special facility in this picturesque village of Ballymore Eustace in the lovely County Kildare.
Thank you.
ENDS