GALWAY HOTELS BUCK NATIONAL TREND

Date Published: 05-Mar-2012

Occupancy levels in hotels in Galway were some of the best in the country last year.

That's according to the Irish Hotels Federation which is due to publish its annual report later today.

The number of British visitors who stayed in Irish hotels rose by three per cent last year, according to the group.

However, overall UK visitor levels fell by 26 per cent in the last five years - from 3.8 million in 2007, down to 2.8 million last year.

Chief Executive Tim Fenn said a total of 6.2 million people stayed in Irish hotels last year, up seven per cent from 2010.

But he said although the sector is only recovering in many parts of the country - Galway is one of the best performers.