The occupancy rate exceeded 80% at the Center Parcs resort in Co. Longford during its first six months of being open, with more than 100,000 people visiting the resort since its launch, and the company expects the rate to rise to the same level as its UK rates, which are over 90%.
The Irish Independent quotes Center Parcs chief executive Martin Dalby as saying, "The families are so keen to take part in activities that actually the level of revenue [in Longford] has been higher than expected.
"We have had to put on more programmes and more activities, and change some of [the] labour scheduling to accommodate those activities...Irish families are spending a little bit more [than guests at UK Center Parcs resorts] on dining out as well, which is fantastic and really sets us up for a successful business as we get everything established."
"A Fantastic Start"
Dalby added, "Ireland has gotten off to a fantastic start. We've got an average occupancy of over 80% for the first six months of trading, which, to be honest with you, is probably a little bit better than what we expected, particularly given the winter months of November, December and January, which for Irish families is not normally a time when they would take a short-break holiday."
Since it opened, 76% of Center Parcs Longford Forest's guests have been from the Republic of Ireland, 11% have been from Northern Ireland and 11% have been from Britain.
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
