Hotel & Catering Review August 2017

AUGUST 2017

Brand Builder

STOREHOUSE CHIEF CALLS FOR BREXIT FUND

Business Matters HOW TO SELL A HOTEL

UK MARKET RISING TO THE CURRENCY CHALLENGE

#TRENDING TRENDING GOLD MEDAL AWARDS | INTERIOR DESIRE OFC_HCR_August 2017_Cover_V1.indd 1

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TO OUR 2017 SPONSORS!

GET INVOLVED! The Gold Medal Awards are attended by senior decision makers across the hospitality industry. From group directors and business owners to general managers, chefs, catering managers, senior banqueting, front of house staff, food service suppliers and distributors.

Last year, over 600 top hospitality industry professionals were there to celebrate the Gold Medal Awards winners in Kilkenny. Don’t just take our word for it, in 2016 we had over 25,000 online votes and a social media reach of 3.2million!

If you would like to engage with this targeted hospitality audience please contact the Gold Medal Awards Team: Telephone: 01 432 2231 | Website: www.hotelandcateringreview.ie/awards/

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AUGUST 2017

Go to issuu.com/ ashvillemedia for the online edition

AUGUST 2017

Brand Builder

CONTENTS

STOREHOUSE CHIEF CALLS FOR BREXIT FUND

Business Matters HOW TO SELL A HOTEL

UK MARKET RISING TO THE CURRENCY CHALLENGE

#TRENDING TRENDING GOLD MEDAL AWARDS | INTERIOR DESIRE OFC_HCR_August 2017_Cover_V1.indd 1

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Cover image courtesy of: The Guinness Storehouse

IN THIS ISSUE

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Business Matters

Mason Hayes & Curran offers hoteliers some advice on the buying and selling process.

COVER STORY

THE BRAND BUILDER

24 The government needs to inject a Brexit fund... into tourism to allow the industry to diversify into other markets and support vulnerable enterprises...why not invest in an industry that employs 10% of the total workforce in Ireland�

Paul Carty, Managing Director, Guinness Storehouse

REGULARS

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NEWS

18

ON THE MOVE

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INTERIOR GOLD TRENDS MEDAL AUGUST 2017 | HOTEL

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Review & Outlook

Tourism Ireland welcomes record visitor numbers but UK market decline causes concern.

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A Quick Chat With Catherine James

Budriene

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Editorial & Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Editorial Assistant: Orla Connolly Art Director: Alan McArthur Creative Director: Jane Matthews Stock Photography: Thinkstock.com Infographics: www.flaticon.com Production: Nicole Ennis Sales Director: Paul Clemenson Managing Director: Gerry Tynan Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon

Published by: Ashville Media, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7.

Tel: (01) 432 2200 ISSN: 0332-4400 All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2017. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Hotel & Catering Review. The promoter/advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize.

Editor’s

VIEW T

he latest official tourism figures for Northern Ireland reveal that there was a 13% increase in overnight visits from the Republic of Ireland in quarter one of 2017, a 35% increase in overnight visits from the Republic of Ireland in the 12 months to March 2017, and visitor spend was up seven per cent to Stg£170m. “Overall, tourism expenditure rose by 11% on an annual basis, which is good news for our hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans and shows that the hospitality sector is working for the NI economy,” says Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster. “What is very interesting from these figures is the fact that overnight visits from the Republic of Ireland surged by 35% across the 12 month period and for the first quarter of 2017 rose by 13%. This far outstrips the growth in overnight visitors from any other market. It is clear that maintaining the free movement of people across the border is essential. Post-Brexit, this freedom of movement needs to be maintained for our hospitality sector to continue to grow.

It is essential that we are supported by politicians and decision makers to make sure that our industry is protected and helped to grow.’’ The hospitality sector sustains 60,000 jobs across Northern Ireland and contributes more than £1.1bn to the economy every year. In our cover story on page 10, Paul Carty, Managing Director of the Guinness Storehouse, shares his concerns about the potential impact of Brexit on the hospitality industry in the Republic of Ireland, and on the island of Ireland as a whole. These recent statistics from Northern Ireland further strengthen his argument for the introduction of a Brexit fund of between 10m and 12m into tourism to allow the industry to diversify into other markets and support vulnerable enterprises. However, long before Brexit became a reality for the Irish economy, tourism marketing spend by government had been cut, and was small when compared with government investment in other industries. If this isn’t rectified, Ireland’s share of voice in the UK market will continue to weaken. This could seriously curtail visitor numbers and revenue from Ireland’s largest source market for many years to come.

www.hotelandcateringreview.ie @HC_Review

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@

Editor: Maev Martin Email: maev.martin@ ashvillemediagroup.com Telephone: 01 432 2271

info@hotelandcateringreview.ie

www.facebook.com/hotelandcateringreview

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BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY! We’re delighted once again to host the 29th Annual Gold Medal Awards in the five-star luxury hotel, The Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny!

The Gold Medal Awards are the leading independent awards for the Irish hospitality industry and aim to recognise, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the hotel, catering and culinary sectors throughout the country over the past 12 months. They also recognise and reward high standards of excellence in terms of both physical product and level of service, something the Irish hospitality industry has long been renowned for.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH 2017 THE LYRATH ESTATE, CO. KILKENNY

Drinks Reception: 6.30pm | Awards Ceremony: 7.45pm Hosted By: TV3’s Martin King Dress Code: Black Tie / Formal Wear Dinner: A truly scrumptious 3-course gala dinner will be served throughout the awards ceremony served with wine

To book your tickets: visit hotelandcateringreview.ie/awards or contact hazel.johnston@ashville.com @HCReview | #GMA2017

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LPG

Natural Gas

The natural choice Enjoy the benefits of cooking with gas wherever you work, with Flogas, Ireland’s only supplier of both LPG and Natural Gas. Clean, easy-to-control, instant and versatile energy. With our expert technical advice, dedicated after-sales service and all Ireland distribution network, and you’ll see that Flogas has all the right ingredients.

So it’s no wonder that Flogas is the choice of so many chefs, including Neven Maguire of MacNean House & Restaurant in Blacklion, Co. Cavan.

Remember, there’s much more to Flogas than cooking. It can also provide you with instant, economical central heating, hot water, gas fires, and even gas tumble driers... wherever you are.

Discover how we can transform your business: Republic of Ireland T: 041 983 1041 | E: info@flogas.ie | www.flogas.ie Northern Ireland T: 028 9073 2611 | E: info@flogasni.com | www.flogasni.com

Wherever you are

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NEWS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The finalists in the 2017 Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards have been announced.

GET ON BOARD WITH TITANIC BELFAST

VISIT www.hotelandcateringreview.ie

Titanic Belfast hosted a careers open day on August 22nd in an effort to recruit staff to fill 45 hospitality roles. Over the last five years, Titanic Belfast has hosted over 1,500 business and leisure events, including Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee lunch, the G8 Summit Reception, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The World Police & Fire Games International Conference, the World Conference of Credit Unions, the Giro D’Italia and MTV Sounds. The world-class venue is now on the lookout for hospitality staff in operational front of house conference and banqueting roles under Head of Hospitality, Lloyd Jackson, as well as Executive Head Chef, Alastair Fullerton. The roles will be across all areas of the hospitality department, servicing the flexible suites located across the fifth and sixth floor of Titanic Belfast, which can cater for between 50 and 1,000 guests, the Bistro 401 and The Galley Café, as well as SS Nomadic.

for the full list of properties and people who have made it to the category shortlists.

FOR SPONSORSHIP OR EVENT ENQUIRIES: Please contact Hazel Johnston, Event Manager, on 01 432 2274 or email hazel. johnston@ashvillemediagroup.com

Pictured: Titanic Belfast Head Chef Garreth Wilson serves up 45 new hospitality jobs.

Caterers Prove They’re Masterchefs Masterchefs Hospitality beat off competition from over 12,000 producers from all over the world at this year’s Great Taste Awards to achieve three gold stars for its goats cheese, spinach and caramelised red onion quiche.

It was one of only 165 products to achieve such an accolade, putting the company at the forefront of culinary excellence in Ireland and the UK. The tart, which includes goats cheese from Fivemiletown Creamery, spinach from Green Earth Organic, Galway, and eggs from Pearse Piggot in Gort, is made as part of the company’s Chefs & Bakers brand. The quiche has become a hero product for the company, winning accolades at both the Great Taste Awards and the Blás na hÉireann Awards in previous years. It is a favourite at Masterchef’s cafés all over the country, including the Café Noir restaurants in Limerick, their restaurants at University of Limerick, NUI Galway and at the many corporate and private events that the company caters for all over the country. The company’s Wild Atlantic Seafood Chowder, which only uses fresh fish from Kenmare, also won a Gold Star. Masterchefs, one of the premier hospitality companies in Ireland, also won Ireland’s Best Events category and the Supreme Caterer award at the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards in 2015.

Pictured: Little chef Elizabeth Jezkova with the Masterchef’s Hospitality quiche.

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CATERING REVIEW

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CONTRACT CATERING FIRST FOR FOOD CONFERENCE

JP McMahon of Eat Galway and Food on the Edge, Alan Russell, Operations Director for Gather & Gather, and Mark Anderson, Culinary Director in Ireland for Gather & Gather.

Tourism Ireland Briefs Minister on Brexit

Minister Brendan Griffin meets Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain (front, centre), and the Tourism Ireland team in London.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, visited London on August 8th when he was briefed by Tourism Ireland on its 2017 promotional programme and the possible impact on travel of the decision by the UK to leave the EU. “We discussed the decline in British visitors and explored options to make Ireland even more attractive to the potential UK visitor,” said Minister Griffin. “Overall numbers of visitors to Ireland are up substantially and I want to help make sure that numbers from the UK increase too. Convenience, quality and the value for money message are more important than ever in Britain right now and together

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we are exploring ideas that will have a positive and noticeable impact.”

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said that Tourism Ireland is “determined to defend its share of this most competitive market. We were delighted to have the opportunity to brief Minister Griffin on our 2017 programme of activity, including our expanded partnership programme with airlines, ferry operators and tour operators, which is communicating a strong price-led message to prospective British visitors. Competitiveness and the value for money message are more important than ever in Britain right now.”

Gather & Gather, part of Mitie Group, has signed up as a sponsor of Food on the Edge (FOTE), the two-day world leading food festival and conference that will take place in Galway on October 9th and 10th.

Created, hosted and managed by chef JP McMahon, Director of Eat Galway Restaurant Group, FOTE has gained a reputation as a food movement, not just a gathering of foodies, that challenges attitudes and inspires new ideas about the future of food.

Now in its third year, presentations, seminars, tastings, demonstrations and great food and drink are the centre of the event.

Gather & Gather is the only sponsor from the contract catering world.

“We see FOTE as an excellent opportunity to inspire and influence our staff and customers, as well as the food industry, about the role that food plays in our everyday lives, particularly at work where we spend so much of our time,” says Alan Russell, Gather & Gather Director of Operations in Ireland. “Our relationship with FOTE complements our chef accreditation programme and gives us access to a network of top chefs, giving everyone in the business the chance to learn and share ideas, insights and recipes. It also builds on our work with groups like Springboard in the UK and Chef Network in Ireland.”

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Cleo Chen, Tourism Ireland (wearing her ‘White Walker’ cosplay arms), and Tim Losty, Northern Ireland Bureau, at the launch of the promotion in the Indigo Shopping Mall in Beijing.

CHINESE SEE NEW NI PROMO

Tourism Ireland in China has teamed up with HBO Asia for season 7 of Game of Thrones. The promotion, which ran until the end of August, reminded Chinese fans of the TV show that Northern Ireland is one of the main filming locations for Game of Thrones, with numerous unforgettable set locations. The promotion is running on five popular online platforms, including Tencent (social network), Mtime (movie news and reviews website) and SiTV (Shanghai Interactive Television), as well as on HBO’s and Tourism Ireland’s social channels, and will reach more than 14 million people around China. It features a competition, with a chance for five people to win a trip for two to the ‘real life Westeros’ of Northern Ireland, which will include a VIP Game of Thrones tour. And, in Beijing and Shanghai, large Game of Thrones displays have been set up in shopping malls. On August 8th, Chinese bloggers and influencers were invited to a video streaming event in the Ganghui Shopping Mall in Shanghai, when Tourism Ireland’s Game of Thrones videos were playing on large screens.

Tourism Ireland reminded the influencers that Northern Ireland is ‘Game of Thrones Territory’ and distributed flyers and information about Northern Ireland to passers-by in the shopping mall.

HOTELS CREATE LIMERICK FOOD MILE

Inspired by the history of Limerick’s bacon industry, the Pigtown Culture and Food Series is a new programme of themed events throughout September and October 2017 in Limerick, which has been developed by the Limerick Food Group. The series will focus on showcasing the great food available locally and build on the county’s food heritage. The creative brains behind the initiative include some of Limerick’s top hotels - The Limerick Strand Hotel, The Absolute Hotel, The Savoy Hotel and the Clayton Hotel Limerick. They have joined forces to present a unique culinary experience - The Limerick Food Mile. To celebrate the launch of this new experience, they are hosting a special evening on Friday September 22nd. The event kicks-off from 7pm and consists of a four course meal, with each course served at a different hotel where each Executive Chef presents a course consisting of Pigtown-themed, locally sourced food. Each course will be paired with wine. Limerick Carriage Tours have also come on board to transport guests from one establishment to the other in their horse drawn carriages. Once guests are on board, they will be greeted by their own personal guide who will show them around Limerick’s historical sites and scenery.

Pictured launching The Limerick Food Mile are (l-r): Dermot Clancy, Absolute Hotel, Tom Flavin, Limerick Strand Hotel, Graham Campbell, Savoy Hotel, and Ronan Kelly, Clayton Hotel.

CAMPAIGN TO GROW TOURISTS TO SOUTH EAST

Tourism Ireland has once again teamed up with Stena Line and Rosslare Europort to promote Ireland’s Ancient East and, in particular, counties Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. A joint campaign, supported by Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny County Councils, is now underway, highlighting ease of access via the Stena Line ferry service from Fishguard to Rosslare. A similar campaign was rolled out this spring. The campaign is targeting Ireland’s ‘culturally curious’ audience in Britain and includes radio ads, reaching 1.73 million listeners, online ads on popular websites, and ads on Facebook.

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TOP OIL PARTNERS WITH IHI

Julie Calder-Potts (left) with TV presenter Annapia Chico, during filming at Highbank Orchards and Distillery in Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny.

Home heating and fuel business, Top Oil has announced a new partnership with the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI). The partnership will give members of the Irish Hospitality Institute and hospitality industry the opportunity to avail of support and offers from Top Oil. As part of this new partnership, Top Oil will be working with the IHI on driving awareness and efficiency in their members’ energy usage. This new partnership will also give members of the Irish Hospitality Institute access to home heating oil, commercial fuel and competitive commercial fuel card rates.

ITALIANS TUNE IN TO IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

The most popular travel TV show in Italy, Kilimangiaro, which has more than 1.2 million viewers per episode, filmed in Ireland’s Ancient East this month. Tourism Ireland in Milan, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, invited camerawoman Annapia Chico to come and explore Ireland’s Ancient East for the show, which airs on the national TV station, RAI Tre. She filmed the Hill of Tara, the Irish National Stud, Highbank Orchards and Distillery, Waterford’s Copper Coast, Brownshill Dolmen and Glendalough. The resulting programme will air towards the end of 2017.

According to Tourism Ireland’s Italy Manager, Niamh Kinsella, 2016 was the best year ever for tourism from Italy to Ireland, when we welcomed 336,000 Italian visitors, up +8% on 2015.

(l-r): James Fitzgerald, Regional Manager South at Top Oil, Tina Maree, National Executive Officer of the IHI, Matthias Muller, IHI President and General Manager of the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh, Oonagh Cremins, IHI board member and Director at The Innovate Room, and Edward Stephenson, IHI board member and CEO of Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort.

New Dublin Beds on Course for 2020 Fáilte Ireland published its Analysis of Visitor Accommodation in Dublin 2015-20 report regarding the future pipeline of Dublin hotel accommodation on August 8th. Carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates, the report indicates that 5,382 rooms are due to come on stream between now and 2020, with the current supply side pressures due to significantly ease by 2019. The report presents the most up-to-date projections of additional hotel capacity anticipated to come on-stream in Dublin (up to 2020) and breaks the anticipated new rooms as 3,444 (64%) accounted for in new hotels with a further 1,938 (36%) in existing hotel extensions. Most of the new rooms will be located in Dublin 1, 2 and 4. “The hotel rooms identified that are due to come on stream in today’s report represent private sector investment worth €800m or more based on current market valuations and are very welcome,” said Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Research, Caeman Wall. “We need to do whatever we can to help ensure that the current pipeline of development is delivered in full as quickly as possible. This extra capacity will not only increase availability but also significantly help moderate price increases.”

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Commercial

PROFILE

ACCESS FOR ALL IS A

PROFITABLE BUSINESS LOOKING AFTER THE NEEDS OF DISABLED PEOPLE IS NOT JUST IMPORTANT FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE. ACCORDING TO THE HOTEL INSPECTORS, IT’S ALSO VERY GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

A

n analysis of the size of the accessible tourism market shows that 70% of the population demanding accessibility have both the financial as well as the physical capabilities to travel, generating potential revenues of €88.6bn by 2025. Tourism businesses with improved accessibility appeal to a wider range of visitors. It’s not just disabled visitors who benefit; it’s families, older people,

practically all your visitors in one way or another.

Almost 83% of people trust online customer reviews as much as personal recommendations when making a decision about where they will want, and will feel safe, to stay. Accessible tourism travellers are extremely savvy and belong to many social media groups, forums and blogs that are crucial to their travel plans.

These platforms are used by

the majority of travellers so, if a business gets it right, the value to future growth in the sector could be huge.

When The Hotel Inspectors carry out an inspection we look at things like ramp gradients, automated door opening, elevators, manoeuvring space, types of door handles, and heights of switches and power outlets.

However, our remit does not cover advising hoteliers to knock down walls or build

extensions, or the ripping out of bathrooms. We commonly suggest changes that can be achieved at little or no cost, and it is often these smaller changes that will have the biggest impact. Why should you bother making these changes? Well, it’s simple.

We have an ageing population and the baby boomers are getting older but they still want a good time. And they have the money to make that happen!

THE HOTEL INSPECTORS Disability Access Inspection • Min 80 point jargon free report with photographs where appropriate • Totally independent and unbiased service • Everything covered from reservation call to checkout/Bill payment • Improve staff knowledge and attitude • Widen your customer base • Inspection carried out through the eyes of a disabled traveller • Hotel Inspectors Certificate of Accessibility

Contact details Darren Jones / David Perry www.thehotelinspectors.com info@thehotelinspectors.com Tel: +44 (0) 2892 698 955

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VOTE NOW VOTE FOR IRELAND’S FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY TODAY! Proudly sponsored by the

Proudly sponsored by the Irish Independent, we’re delighted to bring to the public, the People’s Choice Award - Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay! All hotels, country houses and guest houses that are finalists in the Gold Medal Awards have also been entered into the People’s Choice category.

The top property from each province will be revealed on the night of the Gold Medal Awards with the overall winner taking the trophy home.

Vote now on our website and be in with a chance to win 2 tickets to the 2017 Gold Medal Awards taking place in the Lyrath Estate, Co. Kilkenny on Tuesday, 26th of September.

VOTING CLOSES 12PM, SUNDAY 3RD, SEPTEMBER 2017

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LEINSTER

MUNSTER

CONNAUGHT

• Amber Springs Hotel, Wexford • Ballyfin Demesne, Laois • Boyne Hill House, Meath • Clarion Hotel Dublin Liffey Valley • Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin • Conyngham Arms Hotel, Meath • Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown • Crowne Plaza Dundalk, Louth • Dunbrody Country House Hotel, Wexford • Dylan Hotel, Dublin • Headfort Arms Hotel, Meath • InterContinental Dublin • Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Wexford • Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny • Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny • Marlfield House Hotel, Wexford • Morrison A DoubleTree By Hilton, Dublin • Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny • North Star Hotel, Dublin • Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin • Rathsallagh House, Wicklow • Roundwood House, Laois • Seafield Hotel & Spa Resort, Wexford • The Croke Park, Dublin • The Heritage Killenard, Laois • The Merrion, Dublin • The Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny • The Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, Dublin • Viewmount House, Longford

• Absolute Hotel Limerick • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa, Kerry • Ard na Sidhe Country House, Kerry • Armada Hotel, Clare • Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa, Kerry • Blue Haven Hotel, Cork • Castlemartyr Resort, Cork • Castlewood House Dingle, Kerry • Celtic Ross Hotel, Cork • Cork International Hotel • Dingle Skellig Hotel, Kerry • Dromoland Castle, Clare • Dromquinna Manor, Kerry • Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick • Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, Cork • Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Limerick • Fota Island Resort, Cork • Garryvoe Hotel, Cork • Gregans Castle Hotel, Clare • Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork • Heatons Guesthouse, Kerry • Hotel Killarney, Kerry • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Cork • Killarney Park Hotel, Kerry • Killeen House Hotel, Kerry • Limerick Strand Hotel • Maryborough Hotel, Cork • Moy House, Clare • Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, Kerry • No 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa, Limerick • Sheen Falls Lodge, Kerry • The Brehon, Kerry • The Europe Hotel & Resort, Kerry • The Inn at Dromoland, Clare • The Kingsley, Cork • The Malton Killarney, Kerry • The Montenotte Hotel, Cork • The Rose Hotel, Kerry • Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Clare • Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

• Ashford Castle, Mayo • Belleek Castle, Mayo • Claregalway Hotel, Galway • Diamond Coast Hotel, Sligo • Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway • Harbour Hotel, Galway • Ice House Hotel, Mayo • Kilmurvey House, Galway • Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Roscommon • Knockranny House Hotel & Spa, Mayo • Mulranny Park Hotel, Mayo • Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway • Renvyle House Hotel, Galway • The Glasshouse, Sligo • The Twelve Hotel, Galway • The Wyatt Hotel, Mayo

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ULSTER • Arnolds Hotel, Donegal • Blackwell House, Down • Castle Leslie Estate, Monaghan • Galgorm Resort & Spa, Antrim • Lough Eske Castle, Donegal • Maldron Hotel Belfast, Antrim • Redcastle Oceanfront Hotel, Donegal • Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Down • Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan

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Commercial

PROFILE

CREATING THE ULTIMATE VISITOR

EXPERIENCES ACCOMMODATION RENEWAL DEADLINES

WHETHER IT’S INTRODUCING NEW WAYS TO HELP TOURISTS DISCOVER HIDDEN HISTORIES ON DUBLIN’S NORTHSIDE, WORKING WITH LOCAL GROUPS IN IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST, OR DRIVING OFF-SEASON BUSINESS ALONG THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY, FÁILTE IRELAND IS BOOSTING THE IMPACT OF ITS ALREADY SUCCESSFUL BRAND PROPOSITIONS.

The renewal deadlines for Ireland’s statutory and listed accommodation sectors have been published. If your accommodation requires renewal, then the following dates will be important to you:

MAKING THE VISITOR

EXPERIENCE COUNT

F

Ireland’s Ancient East visitor experience workshop in Kilkenny.

áilte Ireland have been busy working with a number of different groups across Ireland’s Ancient East to deliver the best visitor experience possible in the region. A new Visitor Experience Development Plan, focusing on the rich heritage associated with Ireland’s castles, conquests and Vikings, has been initiated with over 50 interested parties. In addition, design and craft businesses throughout the region met in Kilkenny recently to consider how their craft experience can meet the needs of the visitor in a way that will help them grow their business.

• Statutory Renewals: 15 October 2017 • Listed Renewals: 11 September 2017 Find out how to renew and more at www.failteireland.ie

OPENING UP DUBLIN’S INSPIRING PLACES

Dublin Discovery Trails are launched by Ardmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath, Mícheál MacDonnacha at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin.

The recent launch of two free Dublin Discovery Trails means that visitors can now explore the hidden histories and inspiring sites of Dublin city’s northside. The new trails - ‘Iconic Sights, Hidden Highlights’ and ‘Inspiring Spaces, Hallowed Places’ - are designed to provide more ways for visitors to discover some of the most interesting sites and attractions on this side of the city and have been developed by the tourism development authority in conjunction with Dublin City Council and Dublin Northside Attractions (Dublin’s DNA).

Full details on the trail can be found at www.failteireland.ie

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Commercial

PROFILE

OFF-SEASON ADVERTISING BLITZ

Images of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way will be broadcast during prime time TV on Sky 1, Channel 4, TV3 and RTE.

GETTING FAMILIAR WITH

Fáilte Ireland is currently running its latest home holiday campaign encouraging Irish people to take a break along the Wild Atlantic Way. The 500,000 campaign focuses on bolstering Ireland’s off-season period and will run from the end of August through to mid-October, reaching an estimated 3.3 million Irish adults. Building on the ‘Embrace the Wild Atlantic Way of Life’ campaign, which was launched earlier this year, this latest campaign highlights a variety of experiences to be had along the coastal route and is currently featured on national TV and on national and local radio, as well as through Fáilte Ireland’s ‘always on’ online and social media channels.

It is expected that 94% of adults will be exposed to the campaign over the eightweek period.

Swedish journalists Malin and Reine Hefvelin with Bill O’Brien of the Doolin Ferry Company and Fáilte Ireland representative Siobhan King and the new “Doolin Express” ferry at Doolin, Co Clare.

IRELAND

G

roups of influential media and buyers have been getting familiar with Ireland as they explore all that the country has to offer. Among those visiting recently were China’s largest e-commerce start-up, Mogujie, a group of influential media and social media influencers from Qatar and Australia, US golfing media with a combined reach of 20 million, sisters Karena and Kaset Te Awa Bird, MasterChef New Zealand winners from 2014, and husband and wife team Mira and Reine Hefvelin from Sweden. Also filming along the Wild Atlantic Way was Samantha Brown as she gathered footage for a Wild Atlantic Way episode for her new PBS travel show ‘Places to Love’, which is due to be broadcast to an audience of two million later this year.

HOTEL

Samantha Brown, on location in Sligo.

Masterchef winners Karena and Kaset Te Awa Bird explore Dublin.

Doha influencers and Australian media take in street art as they explore Ireland.

Chinese guests enjoy the sights, sounds, scenery and taste of Dingle.

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COVER STORY

Masterminding the

Paul Carty with plans showing what the Gravity Bar will look like following the 16m expansion.

Ultimate Brand Experience Last month the Guinness Storehouse unveiled plans to double the size of its famous Gravity Bar. This month, its Managing Director Paul Carty elaborates on the next development phase for Ireland’s number one visitor attraction, and tells Maev Martin why, amongst other things, Irish tourism needs a Brexit fund.

T

he Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse currently has the capacity to accommodate 250 people at any given time. Following the 16m expansion project, which they hope will be completed by 2019, the bar will be able to hold up to 550 people. “In the Storehouse building we could have up to 2,500 people an hour coming through at any given time and the Gravity Bar is the jewel in our crown,” says Paul. “It is the reward at the end of the two and a half hour tour where every visitor gets to enjoy their perfect pint, so it is important that they can do that in a relaxed and spacious environment.” The Storehouse has welcomed over 1.1 million visitors so far this year and they believe they will reach 1.7 million visitors by year end. Paul was managing the five star Le Meridien Al Khobar Hotel in Saudi Arabia for only six months when he got the call about coming to Dublin to spearhead the Guinness Storehouse project in 1999. “At the interview stage it became clear to me that this was going to be a special place and I believed that I could make a go of it,” he says. “I loved Guinness’ plans to install good food and beverage outlets and I liked the retail aspect and, of course, their marketing ambition, which was to make it a world-class home and visitor centre for Guinness. When we turned the business around in 2003 and began paying

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COVER STORY

Food and beverage outlets are a popular feature of the Guinness Storehouse

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COVER STORY for the 42m that it cost to create the project, that was one of a number of major milestones in the life of the Storehouse. At that point Diageo could see that, as well as being a brand experience, it was a business that required investment. Since 2000 we have spent 26m refreshing, updating and creating better experiences for visitors. Other key milestones include winning the World Travel Award in 2015 for Europe’s leading tourist attraction, Bill Clinton’s visit within two weeks of the opening, which got blanket media coverage in the US and Ireland, and Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 2011. However, there was a Saturday morning about two years after they had opened that told Paul that the venue was definitely making its mark. “I was in my office and Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins walked in unannounced to buy their tickets,” he says. “Since then, we’ve had Matt Damon, Tom Cruise, Pink, and lots of other well known personalities, some of whom we can’t mention. Whoever is on The Late Late Show on a Friday night will probably visit us while they are in town.”

A BREXIT FUND FOR TOURISM While Paul is confident about their own development plans for the Gravity Bar and the ongoing innovations throughout the building, he has identified some major threats to the wider tourism industry’s continued growth. “Brexit is the biggest challenge facing Irish tourism since the global financial crash,” he says. “Two in five visitors to Ireland are from Great Britain and that was worth 1.1bn to Irish tourism last year. The big issue is the weakening of sterling. Today (17 August) it is at Stg£1.09 - 18 months ago you would have got Stg£1.35, which is a huge difference. We

A CAREER IN HOSPITALITY

Paul Carty, Managing Director, Guinness Storehouse

After completing his formal education, Paul trained to be a chef at Rockwell Hotel School and then moved on to Shannon College of Hotel Management where he became an honours graduate. He is also a past student of Cornell University in New York. Paul began his career at the Storehouse in 1999 when he was headhunted to return to Dublin after 25 years as a general manager of hotels for the Forte Group and Le Meridien in Dublin, London Gatwick, Stratford-upon-

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Avon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Bahrain, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. More recently, Paul has been appointed to the board of Fáilte Ireland. He was also instrumental in the creation of the new Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, of which he is chairman, and is a member of the council of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, where he has just completed a two-year tenure as chairman.

Paul is also a fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute.

Visitors explore the Guinness Archive.

A sensorial experience in The Tasting Room.

could lose 100m in revenue this year on the Great Britain market. ITIC are projecting this loss as a strong possibility. The Department of Tourism has met with all the key stakeholders in our industry, including Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which is great. However, I think the government needs to inject a Brexit fund of between 10m and 12m into tourism to allow the industry to diversify into other markets and support vulnerable enterprises. That Brexit fund should be given to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to allow them to increase and diversify their marketing efforts. Both organisations have had their marketing funding cut by about 40% since the recession and it hasn’t been restored. And we are losing share of voice in the UK as a result. Tourism marketing spend by government represents a fraction of the marketing spend that is invested in other industries, so why not invest in an industry that employs 10% of the total workforce in Ireland.

However, we also need a Brexit fund to allow tourism to have a strong voice at the government’s Brexit taskforce table. There are specific markets that have major further potential for growth, including the US and China. There are talks of direct flights from Beijing to Dublin from October this year with Hainen Airlines, which would be incredible, so we need to put funds into where the return is and will be.”

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COVER STORY

Enjoying pints in the Arthur Bar.

TRAVEL & HOTEL CAPACITY Paul believes that Dublin Airport needs another runway and that the city needs two very large hotels. “Dublin Airport needs a runway that can take wide bodied jets,” he says. “The likes of Emirates could bring larger jets into the country, but at the moment we can’t cope with that. Also, we need to get the extra 5,000 new hotel bedrooms built in Dublin by 2020. Caemon Wall of Fáilte Ireland believes that this is on track to happen by then, which is encouraging. However, what Dublin really needs is two 550-bed hotels to cater for the conference business that is currently coming into Convention Centre Dublin. The CCD could have 4,000 people who are in town over a weekend or during the week. Every time that the CCD has a large conference in town our visitor numbers at the Storehouse decrease.

My theory is that convention business is displacing leisure business due to the current lack of bedrooms in Dublin. The capital needs to be able to cater for leisure and business visitors at the same time.”

Dublin is the gateway into Ireland but Paul believes that we have to find a way of persuading tourists to go outside the capital when they get here. “Our motorways are so good that people are doing day trips to other cities and coming back to Dublin to stay,” he says. “The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East have supported the push to encourage people to stay a few nights outside Dublin by creating great tourist trails, but we need more of that, as well as better transport links to our major cities. We also need to find ways to make the tourist season longer. One way is to create events that

allows us to market ourselves to potential visitors in the offseason and to come up with clever marketing that attracts people outside of the traditional tourism period.”

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION Irish tourism needs a steady stream of young people coming through who are embracing the industry as a long-term career choice. “There is an unfortunate image of the industry as being about long hours, split shifts, weak salaries, and a lack of pension availability, and that perception needs to be addressed. I constantly advocate tourism as a great career choice. The industry offers plenty of opportunities, so we need to get that message across. The Irish are very good at this industry – we have a natural flair for hospitality. It is in our DNA so we need to rectify this negative public image that exists.” The shortage of chefs in our industry continues and there appears to be no practical road map for solving the crisis. Where does he think the industry should go from here? “CERT was great in its day but it was a major cost to the State, so we need to look at new ways of finding a solution to craft training,” he says. “I believe that the answer is to get the industry to work with an agency like Solas - I don’t think we can expect the State to come up with a solution to this on its own. In Germany they have apprenticeships that work very well for their hospitality industry. Maybe we should revert back to the old fashioned apprenticeship system where people train on the job – working in the industry and going to college on a block release basis or in the evening time. Of course, the industry needs to train people on the job and find the time for them, as well as encourage and reward them, to go to college.”

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ON THE MOVE

Move

On the

LUCIUS FARRELL

ERIC KAVANAGH

AISLING MCCORMICK

NEW POSITION GENERAL MANAGER

NEW POSITION HEAD CHEF

NEW POSITION SALES MANAGER

EMPLOYER CLIFF AT LYONS

EMPLOYER CAHERNANE HOUSE

EMPLOYER CASTLEMARTYR RESORT

Cliff at Lyons recently announced the appointment of Lucius Farrell as General Manager of the recently expanded luxury country estate in Co Kildare. A consummate hotelier, Lucius has more than 16 years’ involvement in the hospitality sector. During his early career he worked at The Fitzwilliam Hotel and with internationally recognised brands such as the Four Seasons and Intercontinental Hotels. Prior to joining Cliff, Lucius held a senior role at Carton House Hotel. In July of this year, Mr Farrell joined the team at Cliff at Lyons, the newest addition to the Cliff portfolio of luxury properties, which include the award-winning Cliff House Hotel, Waterford and the Cliff Townhouse, Dublin.

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New Appointments, Promotions and Recruitment

Eric Kavanagh has been appointed Head Chef at the Herbert, the two AA Rosette restaurant at the 19th century Cahernane House Hotel, Killarney, where he started his award winning career as a commis chef in 1999. In the intervening years, Eric has worked in some of Ireland’s leading establishments, including Rathsallagh Country House and Sheen Falls Hotel, and he was head chef at Longueville House and Marlfield House.

His career has also taken him to New Zealand and to Canada where he worked with Opus Restaurant, one of Toronto’s premier fine dining restaurants. Using local, in-season produce, Eric creates menus with influences from Ireland and Europe, and adds some modern touches.

Castlemartyr Resort has appointed Aisling McCormick to the position of Sales Manager. Aisling began her career in hospitality as a season travel advisor for Fáilte Ireland while completing a Bachelor of Business Studies with Marketing Honours Degree in the Institute of Technology, Sligo. Aisling subsequently completed an MA in International Tourism in the University of Limerick before taking up a position with Morgans Hotel Group in London, where she worked as regional sales co-ordinator, event sales executive and senior event sales executive.

Aisling’s experience in event management, customer relationship management and strategic marketing and sales is reflected in her accomplishments, which include receiving the Delphi Award of Excellence across all Morgans’ hotel properties.

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ON THE MOVE

CLIO O’GARA

BRENDAN DOYLE

AUDREY UNDERWOOD

NEW POSITION COUNTRY MANAGER

NEW POSITION COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

NEW POSITION BRAND MANAGER

EMPLOYER GUESTLINE

EMPLOYER FEBVRE

EMPLOYER FEBVRE

Global hospitality software business Guestline has opened its first office in Ireland and appointed Clio O’Gara as Country Manager. Clio’s career in the hotel sector includes roles at Hilton International in Paris and Brussels, and with Accor Hotels in Paris and the Channel Islands.

Since returning to Ireland, she has led the Bewley’s Hotel Group before working as chief marketing officer for the Gleneagle Hotel Group. Guestline, the property management, channel distribution and digital marketing business, enables hotels, serviced apartments and pubs to manage bookings and operations. Their current roster of clients in Ireland includes the Green Isle Hotel, Randles Hotel, Dromhall Hotel and The Pier Hotel in Limerick.

Febvre Wine Company has appointed Brendan Doyle as Commercial Director.

Brendan has extensive experience in this area, having spent 28 years in front-line selling. He joins Febvre with a proven track record in the drinks industry, where he held roles in the on-trade, off-trade, and wholesale side of the business, as well as working with multiples in the UK and Ireland. Prior to his appointment, he was sales director on-trade at C&C Gleeson. Febvre Wine Company has been at the forefront of the Irish wine trade for over 50 years. During that time the company has partnered with some of the most illustrious and traditional names in the wine world.

Febvre Wine Company has appointed Audrey Underwood as Brand Manager. Audrey will focus on the development of various brands within the Febvre portfolio. Her marketing experience spans across IT, food, FMCG and the motor industry, so she brings a passion and drive for marketing and branding to Febvre. Audrey joins Febvre from N. Conlon & Sons, motor dealers based in Kildare and Limerick representing BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI and Peugeot, where she was group marketing manager.

Febvre Wine Company’s portfolio carries the names of some of the top wineries and wine makers in the world.

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INTERIOR TRENDS

BLACK 12 INCH ALBUM COVER FRAME, €14,

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Interior DESIRE Iona Mount Charles, the woman in charge of design at Slane Castle for the last 30 years, talks about the styling of their recently opened Browne’s Bar. Iona’s chief objective for Browne’s Bar at Slane Castle was to enhance the original features of the space and allow the authenticity of the historic building to shine through. To accomplish this, Iona used natural colour schemes and materials in her design of Browne’s, which reflected the landscape surrounding the castle. “There is one wall of exposed stone and this is balanced with a contemporary wallpaper featuring stylised trees to reflect the setting and lightly limed wooden flooring to keep the palate neutral but warm,” she says. This intimacy is further enhanced by soft textures like woven tartan, which is also a nod to the Conyngham family’s Scottish roots. Standout features include record albums and photographs from the Conyngham personal collection, featuring artists who have played at Slane. “My favourite piece is the guitar given to us by John Bon Jovi at the press conference to announce his concert later that year,” says Iona.

BLACK ROUND MARBLE TABLE,

€1,092, Kartell, arredatutto.com

BRASS LILY GIA CHANDELIER,

€7,370, bykoket.com

PORCELAIN WOOD EFFECT FLOOR,

€60, Tileworks, originalstyle.com

SILVER HAMMERED METAL ‘BOWIE’ DINER PENDANT CEILING LIGHT, €140,

debenhams.ie

MAHOGANY AND TARTAN PRESIDENTE BERGÈRE ARMCHAIR, €1,480 plus VAT,

oficinainglesa.com

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Browne’s Bar Style Tip

Create a contemporary but warm space with a mixture of contrasting textures and materials.

BLACK ATHENS PENDANT LAMP, €128, It’s About

RoMi, noxuhome.com

TARTAN MERINO LAMBSWOOL CUSHION, €44,

annabeljames.com

BLACK LINEN ARMCHAIR, €487,

Jen Stanbrook, houseology.com

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BUSINESS MATTERS

How to

SELL a HOTEL Mason Hayes & Curran has been involved in a number of hotel transactions, including the Gresham Hotel, Mount Juliet, the Cliff House Hotel, The Village at Lyons, and Sheen Falls Hotel.

Partner Adam Hogg offers hoteliers some advice on the buying and selling process.

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f you are the owner of a hotel or are interested in purchasing a hotel asset, one of the big choices you will have to make is whether to opt for an asset or share sale. Each will affect the shape and outcome of the deal, in terms of time, future liabilities, and tax. As a result, it pays to be informed on the main considerations.

I

purchase. The seller will be the company itself and the key transaction document used to transfer ownership will be a business transfer agreement. A share sale may initially appear the more attractive and straightforward option. However, legacy tax issues, including other potential claims, and tax issues arising from a share sale, may make an asset purchase a far more attractive proposition from a buyer’s perspective.

SHARE SALE OR ASSET SALE A hotel deal may be structured as a share sale, with a buyer acquiring ownership of the company that owns the hotel by purchasing all of the issued shares of the company. The sellers will be the individual shareholders of the company and the key transaction document will be a share purchase agreement.

However, in practice, hotel deals are typically structured as an asset sale. This involves a buyer instead choosing the specific assets and liabilities of the company that they wish to

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES A buyer has the ability to choose the specific assets and liabilities of the company that it wishes to acquire in an asset sale. This gives a buyer a degree of flexibility, as well as protection from any known or unknown liabilities of the company, which it can opt to leave behind. A buyer should ensure that full details and listings of all assets that it is acquiring are inserted as a schedule to the business transfer agreement. Similarly, the business transfer agreement should list

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BUSINESS MATTERS Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny

parties to those contracts will change. This process requires a review of the assignment and notice provisions in existing contracts.

In addition, negotiation with third parties in relation to obtaining consent to the novation of the contracts may be required. This can be time-consuming and may require input from legal advisors. In a share sale, contracts do not need to be assigned or novated. Instead, consent must be obtained for contracts which contain a ‘change of control’ clause.

The ‘change of control’ clause may give the other party to the contract the right to terminate the contract on the basis of the change of control or ownership of the seller.

Therefore, it is imperative that the sellers engage with the counterparties and satisfy the consent requirements. This process will necessitate a review of the change of control clauses in the existing contracts, which again can be time-consuming and may require input from legal advisors.

Mount Wolseley

Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny

the excluded liabilities which the buyer will not be acquiring. This ensures that the contract reflects the deal as commercially agreed between the buyer and seller. The business transfer agreement should include an apportionment of the value between each of the various assets. All assets and liabilities of the company pass automatically to a buyer on a share sale. They are not required to be specifically listed in the share purchase agreement. In a share sale, the buyer takes on all liabilities, including unknown liabilities (these include potential tax liabilities and penalties). As a result, this generally requires a buyer to carry out a lengthier, more comprehensive, and consequently more expensive, due diligence process.

EMPLOYEES Under the TUPE Regulations, the general rule is that employees automatically transfer to a buyer in an asset sale. A buyer is required to ensure that the employees enjoy the same

terms and conditions of employment that applied to their previous employment, with the exception of pension entitlements. A 30day notification and consultation period must be carried out by the seller in advance. This can impact on the timing of the completion of the deal. Therefore, engagement with employees should happen at an early stage.

The task of issuing TUPE notices and engaging with what can sometimes be a large number of employees may be administratively burdensome on the person appointed with carrying out that task. In light of this, sufficient resources should be dedicated to this key action point by the seller. In contrast, employees pass automatically to a buyer in a share sale and the TUPE protections mentioned above will not apply to the transfer.

COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS Existing contracts will need to be assigned or novated in an asset sale as the identity of the

POST COMPLETION The selling company will continue to exist following completion of an asset sale.

The shareholders of the seller will need to consider what steps are needed in respect of its corporate existence going forward.

The shareholders may, for example, opt to liquidate the company or to change its name. In a share sale, the buyer becomes the shareholder of the target entity, which continues to exist as it did before the deal, and the previous shareholders simply exit.

There will be a real estate element involved in all hotel deals and specialist real estate advice should be sought from your legal advisors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Adam Hogg is a partner in Mason Hayes & Curran’s real estate team. He advises both public and private clients in relation to commercial property, landlord and tenant law, and residential property. Mason Hayes & Curran is an awardwinning law firm with offices in Dublin, New York and London. The firm employs 410 staff and has 77 partners.

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REVIEW & OUTLOOK

Currency challenge impacts

UK

visitor numbers

Official CSO figures for the first half of 2017 confirm growth of +4.2% in overseas visitors to Ireland, 182,000 arrivals more than the record first half of 2016.

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aunching the mid-year review in of overseas tourism on August 9th, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, and Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons, confirmed that this growth has come from North America, Mainland Europe and Australia and Developing Markets. As anticipated, the decline in the value of sterling is reflected in British visitor numbers to Ireland – which are down -6.4%. Minister Ross and Niall Gibbons outlined what has contributed to the tourism growth so far this year and, more importantly, what will help build on the growth and address the areas of decline to year end and into 2018.

“We have seen an exceptional performance so far from North America, up +21.6% on the first half in 2016, making it another record year,” said Niall Gibbons. “Ireland now welcomes 10% of all American visitors to Europe – this is particularly noteworthy given the intense competition from other destinations. It has also been the best ever first-half performance from Mainland Europe (almost +6%), with important markets like Spain, Germany, France and the Nordic Region all recording really good growth. I am also really pleased to see visitor numbers from Australia and Developing Markets increase by +20.6% for the first half of 2017.”

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Regarding the British market, he said that the decline in the value of sterling has made holidays and short breaks here more expensive, which is in turn impacting on Irish tourism. The latest CSO results confirm a decline of -6.4% in British visitor numbers to Ireland for the first half of 2017.

“Therefore, competitiveness and the value for money message are more important than ever in Britain right now,” he said. “Tourism Ireland is placing a greater focus on our ‘culturally curious’ audience, who are less impacted by currency fluctuations. We are also undertaking an expanded partnership programme with airlines, ferry operators and tour operators, communicating a strong price-led message. Great Britain is a vital market for tourism to the island of Ireland.

It delivers 47% of all overseas visitors and around 30% of all overseas tourism revenue. Most tourism companies around the island of Ireland will be affected by Brexit, so it’s essential that we continue to defend our share of this most competitive market.

We will shortly launch our global autumn campaign, which will include an extensive programme of promotions in Britain to boost business in the shoulder and off-peak season.

Towards the end of 2017, we will launch a new Star Wars campaign to coincide with the release of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, taking every opportunity to capitalise on the huge publicity around the film and whetting

peoples’ appetites to come and visit the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland in 2018 and beyond.”

WHAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH? Targeted global campaigns, a strong online and social media presence, an increase in air access this summer, positive publicity worth 327m, and screen tourism success have all contributed to the mid-year growth figure. Tourism Ireland’s global campaigns will reach hundreds of millions of prospective visitors worldwide this year. The organisation is the fourth most popular tourism board in the world on Facebook (after Australia, the US and Turkey), with more than 3.9 million fans, the number four tourism board on Twitter, and the number three tourism board on YouTube.

Air access is up +4% this summer. The introduction of a number of important new routes from our main markets to Ireland this year has been a significant contributing factor to the growth. These have included a Delta flight from Boston to Dublin, a Transavia flight from Munich to Dublin, a Norwegian service between Stockholm and Dublin, an SAS flight from Stockholm to Shannon, a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Shannon, Icelandair from Reykjavik to Belfast, WOW air from Reykjavik to Cork, Ryanair between Girona and Belfast, a Swiss Air flight from Zurich to Cork, and Norwegian transatlantic services to Cork (from TF Green Airport in Providence) and to Belfast, Shannon, and Dublin from New York (Stewart International

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REVIEW & OUTLOOK

OPPOSITE & ABOVE: The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route were named as two of the world’s ultimate road trips in the new Lonely Planet publication Epic Drives of the World.

LEFT: This year Tourism Ireland’s partnership with HBO to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of Games of Thrones fans features a 77-metre long Bayeux-style tapestry in the Ulster Museum, which portrays the show’s characters in epic scenes.

For the fourth year in a row, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience has recorded one million visitors in a calendar year and is now on track to exceed its record visitor total of 1,427,166 people in 2016.

Airport) and Providence (Rhode Island).

Aer Lingus has expanded services on flights from Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando. Also, in July, Qatar Airways launched a new service between Doha and Dublin, and Etihad is once again operating double-daily departures between Abu Dhabi and Dublin.

Tourism Ireland invites influential travel and lifestyle journalists from around the world to visit the island of Ireland, helping to generate positive publicity about Ireland in the international media worth about 327m in equivalent advertising value (EAV). In addition, Tourism Ireland continues to leverage its connections with Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Last year, their ‘Doors of Thrones’ campaign reached an estimated 126 million people around the world, with the campaign’s various short films being viewed 17 million times, generating coverage worth about £11.3m.

SUSTAINING AND BUILDING ON GROWTH Tourism Ireland is undertaking an extensive programme of promotions around the world in the second half of 2017. These include a new Aer Lingus flight from Miami to Dublin, launching in September, and a new Ryanair flight from Berlin to Kerry.

Their autumn promotional schedule will include a campaign on Classic FM and Smooth Radio, featuring a high profile personality in Britain, which will reach more than 7.5 million ‘culturally curious’ travellers. A separate campaign with popular music and entertainment platform Vevo in Britain, starring some well-known music acts, will highlight Dublin and Belfast for a great city break to approximately 1.5 million social energisers. ‘Jump into Ireland’ travel trade and media blitzes will take place in San Diego, San Francisco and Houston, and there will be sales missions to the Middle East (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and India (Mumbai and Delhi). The ‘Flavours of Ireland’ campaign will target long-haul markets through influential UK inbound tour operators.

Tourism Ireland will also have a strong presence at the IFTM (International French Travel Market) and at World Travel Market in London.

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my gift to the world Together, we can continue to create a future that is fair for everyone. And make a world without poverty our legacy.

For more information contact OXFAM Ireland Tel: (01) 672 7662 Email: friends@oxfamireland.org Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International, a world-wide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty. Charitable co. limited by guarantee. Reg. No. 284292, CHY5988

www.oxfamireland.org/legacy

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Head Chef Richard Carmody

Partners in Food

PROFILE

NO FUSS Q. How does the food offering reflect The Dean’s unconventional design and service approach?

A. Well, there is nothing worse than style over substance and we have this vibrant rooftop venue with great views of the city and friendly staff, so we just try to provide great quality food and the best seasonal ingredients at a fair price.

Q. Can you describe the main food outlets at the hotel?

A. Sophies is our main à la carte, New York style, Irish-Italian restaurant with a great pizza oven as one of the main features. It also has an additional terrace looking out over Harcourt Street and beyond, which can cater for wood-fire barbecues. The Blue Room is our function room where we can host mingling events with supper

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bowls and canapés, or a sit down banqueting event.

The Dean Lobby has its own food offering of lighter items, as well as coffee and treats. It can also cater for parties, with canapés and platters on offer. Everleigh Garden is open seven nights a week and can host large barbecues, corporate parties, and canapé events, before turning into a popular nightclub.

Q. What are the big food trends in the Irish market?

A. Street food of all varieties seems to be huge at the moment, as well as Mexican food.

Using seasonal Irish ingredients wherever possible is a very popular trend. Slow cooked off cut meats are also extremely popular, and are obviously more economical than the better known cuts.

That’s The Dean Hotel Dublin’s motto, where super cool and comfortable rooms are the order of the day, as well as food and drink to tweet home about. Richard Carmody, Head Chef at The Dean Hotel, talks about their unconventional offering in the heart of Dublin city.

About The Dean Dublin The 52-bedroom hotel opened in Dublin in 2014. Fresh, vibrant, youthful and creative, The Dean is a reflection of Dublin now - a dynamic, contemporary European capital. Located at 33 Harcourt Street, the hotel is a luxury residence that sets the scene with strong contemporary design and a great soundtrack, and finishes with warm, friendly service and a great sense of humour. It is part of the Press-Up Entertainment Group of hospitality businesses which includes The Clarence Hotel, Cleaver East, Vintage Cocktail Club, Peruke & Periwig, The Liquor Rooms, MUJI Ireland, Tower Records, The Workman’s Club, Everleigh Gardens, Bison Bar & BBQ, Garage Bar, Mary’s Bar & Hardware, Suas Bar Cork, Captain Americas Restaurants and Wagamama Ireland.

MENU

Starter Seared scallops, cumin spiced squash, peas, teardrop peppers, chorizo and courgette linguine.

Main Course Panfried hake , cauliflower puree, and sautee spinach and peas with a shrimp and lemon butter.

Dessert Sophie's banoffi.

Dublin: +353 (0) 1 556 5000

Web: www.keelings.ie/corporate

Email: freshorders@keelings.com

Keelings Market, 15 Little Green St. Dublin 7

30/08/2017 14:37

A QUICK CHAT

“Weekly fish specials like pan-seared hake, with polenta gratin, or caper and lemon butter sauce topped with crab herb crust are very popular.”

INGREDIENT: ARTISAN CHEESES

I love creating dishes with different cheeses, especially those from artisan producers.

“As well as being steeped in history, the bar and restaurant concepts offer outstanding dishes in a relaxed, yet sophisticated, setting.”

CATHERINE JAMES BUDRIENE

WISH LIST: THERMOMIX

The new version can store my recipes, which is great, as it helps to create better consistency.

“Fusion cooking is a big food trend in Ireland - mixing oriental and western cuisine, keeping things simple, and letting the local produce shine.”

DISH: HEARTY BEEF RAGU

It’s perfect when accompanied by a good bottle of red wine - a nice Bordeaux or a spicy Shiraz.

“Our meat, fish and poultry are guaranteed Irish.

We work with the freshest of ingredients, and we source locally, where possible.”

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HOTEL

Hotel & Catering Review caught up with Head Chef Catherine James Budriene to talk about the elegant new food offering at The Gandon Room restaurant at Slane Castle.

INSPIRATION: LENNY FEARON

I have great respect for his creativity, drive, and work ethic.

He brings fun to food and this approach keeps a loyal and hardworking team around him.

CATERING REVIEW | AUGUST 2017

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CALIFORNIA WINE FAIR 2017 Dublin

Thursday 28th September, 1.30pm - 5.30pm Great Ballroom, The Shelbourne Hotel, 29 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

A destination tasting for California Wines featuring over 450 wines showcased by wineries and importers.

WHAT’S ON

SEMINARS

• Over 30 Exhibitors presenting diverse wine styles with world class quality • Explore the world of Californian Cabernet Sauvigon at a free pour tasting • Californian cuisine prepared by our guest chef matched with Californian • Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

• Napa Valley Floor vs Hillside • Coastal Wines, North to South

For updates follow us on twitter @CalifWines_IR and on instagram @californiawinesireland Please use the hashtag #CaliWineFair

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California Wine Institute www.californiawinefair.co.uk jmcgovern@wineinstitute.org 00353 87 617 6790

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