A RYDER Cup executive has warned that hotels in Limerick and the surrounding regions had better step up and provide the service they are charging for during the prestigious golf tournament in 2027.
Alan Evans, director of hospitality and guest experience at Ryder Cup Europe, said hotel prices for the golf tournament, which is still two years away, are already “elevated” and warned the industry that a customer’s experience will have to match the high prices they are being charged.
Mr Evans said fan experience would very much be the focus if hotels were charging sky high rates over the duration of one of the world’s largest golfing events, set to take place at Adare Manor.
“It has surprised us a little just how elevated some of the rates are,” he told more than 300 hoteliers gathered in Killarney for the annual Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) conference.
Ireland would wish to attract other big sporting events, and would want to learn from the Ryder Cup, he said.
“Have an eye on the guest experience, and make sure the experience matches the price you are charging,” he said.
He also cautioned hoteliers against matching rates with other Ryder Cup destinations.
Rome, which held the 2023 event, was not to be compared as it had high prices all year round, and this year’s event in New York would be on at the same time as the annual UN General Assembly, so rates would be distorted there.
Air access and Shannon Airport also featured at the conference.
MEP Sean Kelly called on the government to publish its aviation strategy, which was delayed.
“This has to include the development of regional airports – Kerry, Waterford, Knock, and Shannon,” he said
“There are only two ways into Ireland, by sea and by air, and we can’t be limiting access – we should be maximising it,” he said.
Mary Considine, chief executive of the Shannon Airport Group, said regional airports had capacity that was not being used. Five million passengers from the Limerick catchment used Dublin every year, adding to an already congested Dublin Airport, she said.
