Picture Special: Donegal Hoteliers celebrate sector’s resilience and passion at gala ball

Hoteliers of Donegal turned out in style for a luxurious night at Lough Eske Castle on Monday for the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Ball.

The annual event brings together hoteliers, guesthouse owners, staff and industry suppliers as they take a night off to reflect on the year gone by and look to the year ahead.

This year’s ball was hosted by the five-star Lough Eske Castle, where guests were treated to an evening of fine dining and entertainment.

The event celebrated the resilience, passion and creativity of the sector in creating and sustaining jobs while also creating lasting memories for visitors.

Speaking to the assembled hoteliers Donal Cox, General Manager of Lough Eske Castle said: “Hospitality is at the heart of everything that we do, and despite the challenges that we’ve faced in recent years, our resilience and passion have ensured that Donegal remains a primary destination, known for its warmth and excellence in service.”

Chair of the Donegal Branch of the IHF, Aisling Arnold, acknowledged the industry’s valued partners and sponsors of the evening for their generosity, willingness and forthcoming approach.

“Donegal is a very unique and special place and somewhere we are very proud of,” Ms Arnold said.

As a fourth-generation family-run hotelier, Ms. Arnold spoke with firsthand understanding of the “hard work and resilience” required to navigate the sector’s challenges in the past and present.

Looking to the future, Ms. Arnold highlighted her focus as branch chair: “to ensure that we can retain our year-round business model that we have worked so hard to achieve.”

Ms. Arnold stressed the importance of a strong collaborative relationship with Donegal County Council and Failte Ireland to ensure Donegal features prominently in year-round marketing campaigns, maximising media opportunities for hotels and guesthouses.

Ms Arnold also announced the establishment of the IHF Donegal branch HR forum, focused on giving professionals the opportunity to gather to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

“They serve as a platform for collaboration, growth and sharing of best practices that will enhance our collective impact,” Ms Arnold said ahead of the forum’s first meeting for Donegal IHF members next week.

“We note the thousands of talented and passionate people that strive to make Irish tourism a success every day, making visitors feel welcome and creating lasting and truly memorable experiences for our guests, and no more so than here in Donegal,” Ms Arnold said.

“It’s an exciting time for young people and in particular those seeking to enter our industry to develop a rewarding career. It’s important that we continue to get the message out there about the many opportunities that exist within our fantastic industry.”

Ms Arnold said that Donegal has “come so far as a county” as she committed to continue to fight for voices to be heard in the Dáil, for Donegal’s vulnerability as a seasonal destination to be seen, that appropriate marketing efforts are undertaken, and that industry challenges are addressed collectively.

Mr Paul Gallagher, Chief Executive of the IHF, joined the gala event and stressed the necessity of government policy on restoring 9% VAT and addressing the ever-growing cost of employment.

“The industry being silent on 9% VAT doesn’t mean that it hasn’t gone away,” Mr Gallagher said. “It just means we’re being mature and grown up. The 9% VAT rate is absolutely crucial to the food-dependent and food-facing businesses, and it is promised to come in the budget for January next year. Notwithstanding what’s going on in the world, that is the red line for this sector, and the rest of the hospitality sector.”

Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue highlighted the strong offering of hotels and hospitality in Donegal, which boasts 55 hotels, equating to 2,984 rooms and 7,720 beds.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy praised the growth of investment in hotels in Donegal which has contributed to new employment opportunities in the industry, visitor numbers and the return of the diaspora seeking job opportunities.

“I want to recognise what all you’ve done in terms of providing the wonderful hospitality service that we’re reowned in this country but also the investment that has led to that hotel sector that we are all really proud of, most of all over the last generation or so,” said Minister McConalogue.

Minister McConalogue said that the challenging year has been recognised in the programme for government in relation to a commitment to reducing the costs for SMEs and the commitment to reassessing the 9% VAT rate in the upcoming budget.

“Despite what we’ve seen in terms of challenges, the industry has shown remarkable resilience, and tonight and all we’re pleased to celebrate your achievements. Because Donegal hoteliers are creative, resourceful and talented, and very much have hospitality in their DNA,” the Minister said.

He added: “The hospitality industry enhances Donegal’s tourism by providing an excellent service that we are renowned for, ensuring that we can continue to attract tourists, boosting the local economy in the process and putting Donegal very much on the map as a top destination.”

See photos from the event below: 

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