The hotel and guest-house sector is preparing to lobby the Government to be compensated for losses arising out of the crisis, the chief executive of the Irish Hotels' Federation, Mr John Power, said yesterday.
Of the 60,600 jobs in the hotel sector, some 20,000 are now considered to be at risk, according to Mr Power. The postponement of the Ireland v England rugby match later this month would cause a loss of £7 million to Dublin, mainly in the accommodation sector, Mr Power said.
It is the rural areas which are suffering most, according to Mr Power. Conferences and other meetings are being cancelled. Even weddings are affected, Mr Power added.