Added: 04/16/2006 |
The key role of IHF in the development of Irish hotel industryIn the late 1990s, the Irish hotel industry experienced the peak of its growth, the influx of tourists increased so much that numerous hotels were built and thousands of people received jobs in the hospitality segment. Today, the Irish hotel industry is a thriving segment, anxious for success and conformity to world-class standards. The Irish Hotels Federation, the national organization of the hotel and guesthouse industry in Ireland, has always played a kea role in the development of the hospitality industry. The primary function of the Federation is to promote and defend the interests of its members. Along with the achievement of a satisfactory taxation and investment climate for the industry, the Federation focuses on developing business opportunities for its members. The Irish Hotels Federation is officially recognized by the Government and State Agencies as a representative of the Irish hotel industry. The IHF implementation group concentrates on such issues as advice and an information service, educational opportunities, a member communication and competition, as well as each customer-oriented policies and opportunities.
The Federation not only keeps a close eye on how members' hotels and guesthouses are marketed both at home and overseas, but provides them with more opportunities for marketing, advertisement and sales increase. It includes the participation of members in seminars and workshop that focus on specific marketing issues, advice and assistance to members on their sales and marketing activities as well as the incorporation of new marketing elements and opportunities, such as publishing and e-marketing as to improve the overall climate of the industry.
Today, each traveler, looking for an Irish hotel, is offered a variety of properties and a convenience of selecting and booking. The major color illustrated guide to the Irish hotel accommodation is "Be our Guest" issued by the IHF. The annual print is four hundred thousand, which is distributed overseas through Tourism Ireland Offices and all Failte Ireland and Northern Ireland Tourist Board Information Offices.
www.irelandhotels.com is the Federation's website for Be Our Guest and features almost one thousand one hundred Irish hotels for each style and budget. In 2001, SynXis, a leading provider of reservation and distribution systems for the hospitality industry in the world, was chosen by the IHF to power its reservations system. All luxurious castle hotels, stately country houses, inns and guesthouses were connected to the IHF website, thus offered a cost-effective way to increase their distribution to thousands of new customers globally.
Members and associate members largely benefit from the IHF membership. They are always kept informed about all important developments in the hospitality industry via the IHF website and a monthly newsletter Innsight, available to each member free of charge. They are assisted on economic, legal and technical matters, including grading, copyright, safety legislation, fire precautions, liability insurance, labor relations, licensing, taxation, suppliers and information technology. They are provided with up-to-date information on the availability of products and services, related to the hotel industry.
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