B&Bs lose out as domestic tourists for self-catering and rented homes

Irish residents holidaying domestically are increasingly checking out of B&Bs and checking into self-catering, rented and self-owned holiday homes, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

In the first three months of the year, there were 26 per cent fewer bednights spent in guesthouses and B&Bs on domestic trips compared with the same period in 2004. In contrast, nights spent in self-catering and rented house accommodation grew by 27 per cent, and in "own holiday homes" by 25 per cent.

In the same period, bednights spent in hotels and conference centres remained almost unchanged.

The latest Household Travel Survey, published yesterday, also showed a 6 per cent fall in domestic trips taken by Irish residents in January-March 2005.

This compared with a 13 per cent rise in overseas trips over the same period.

Trips to Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand all recorded large increases.

Holidays, a rising number of which were taken by older residents, accounted for most of the fluctuation in travel patterns. International holiday trips rose by 23 per cent in the quarter, while international business trips fell by 9 per cent.

The figures also showed international trips taken by residents aged over 70 years increased by 56 per cent, compared with a 22 per cent rise for those in the 0-14 age group.

Overall estimated expenditure on international trips grew from €801 million in January-March 2004 to €949 million in the same period this year.

The comparative change in expenditure on domestic trips was a drop of 5 per cent to €188 million from €197 million.

Commenting on the figures, Fine Gael tourism spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said: "Ireland is haemorrhaging potential tourism business at an alarming rate, and the Government must act to encourage Irish people to holiday at home.

"Price hikes, years of high inflation and Government-driven stealth charges and taxes are all contributing to driving Irish people to holiday abroad."