Surging hotel prices in Dublin this St Patrick’s Day weekend are ‘disappointing’ and will only damage the industry in the long-term, a leading hotelier has said.
For those looking to stay in a one-star hostel in Dublin this Saturday night, a bed in a six-bedroom dorm will cost €196.20.
Meanwhile a King ensuite is priced at €593.10.
The Sunday Times also found an aparthotel close to the Ha'penny Bridge charging €977 for a studio room that is priced at €244 the following weekend.
Alternatively, visitors could also book a €500 bunkbed in a twin room in a nearby hostel that only costs €150 on March 23rd.
Hotels have often been criticised for hiking prices for big weekends and Killarney councillor and hotelier Niall O’Callaghan said the practice is bad for business.
“It just feeds more of this culture of, ‘Oh, sure we got great value over in Spain’ or ‘we got great value over in Portugal and look at the prices here,’” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“You’re trying to convince people to come [to Killarney].
“I know Killarney is a great place, I know you’re going to get great value here and it’s very hard to keep fighting that argument when things like this happen.”
View to the Lakes of Killarney and Killarney Valley from Torc Mountain summit and a female hiker in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland (Ognyan Trifonov / Alamy Stock Photo)Cllr O’Callaghan said he would be “very disappointed” if hotels in Killarney increased their prices in way establishements in Dublin do.
“You can get a four-star hotel next Saturday in County Kerry for €130,” he said.
“I’m looking at the Lake of Killarney and the mountains as I speak and it’s stunning.
“If people want to stay in a one-star hostel, they can stay there but if they want to come down for a four star and get value, [it’s in Kerry].”
VAT rate
Last year, the Government increased VAT on the hospitality industry from 9% to 13.5%.
The change was opposed by many in the industry and Cllr O’Callaghan said he still “hopes” it can return to 9% at some point in the future.
“It’s very hard to keep fighting that argument when things like this happen,” he said.
Prior to the pandemic, inbound tourism was worth €7.3 billion to the Irish economy.
Main image: A hotel room.
