TWICE AS MANY IRISH OPTING TO HOLIDAY IN IRELAND NOT ABROAD THIS SUMMER, NEW TRAVELODGE SURVEY REVEALS

21% to tour multiple areas
Galway (22%) and Dublin (18%) top destinations
23% believe Ireland now offers value in holidays
12% planning city breaks


Thursday 25th June, 2009: The number of Irish people planning to holiday in Ireland this summer has doubled compared to last year, according to a new survey by leading budget hotel group, Travelodge Ireland. A survey of 1,000 Irish guests in Travelodge’s 11 hotels throughout Ireland found that 55% of Irish people will spend their summer holidays on a ‘staycation’ in Ireland this summer, compared to 27% in 2008.

The downturn in the economy seems to be behind the doubling in the number planning a ‘staycation’ this summer with some 22% believing that there are good value deals available in Ireland so there is “no need to travel abroad”. Furthermore, as opposed to settling on one single destination, 21% of Irish holiday makers will spend their time touring “three or four” areas of the country on a mini tour.

Travelodge’s research also found that 14% of Irish travellers will be heading to the seaside (beach), 12% are planning city breaks, 5% will have adventure holidays featuring surfing and waterskiing and the same number will have a golf holiday.

So, where are the 55% of Irish people opting for a ‘staycation’ going this summer? 22% of Travelodge hotel guests surveyed confirmed Galway as their number one ‘staycation’ destination (including 4% who nominated Connemara), 18% will base themselves in Dublin and 15% will head to Kerry with 9% of these planning to base themselves in Killarney.

Among the reasons offered for holidaying in Ireland this summer, 22% believe that there are good value deals available in Ireland now so there is “no need to travel abroad”, 19% state that is because airports and foreign travel have become too much hassle and 16% state that airlines have too many hidden costs. Not surprisingly, 0% have decided to stay in Ireland for the weather alone, despite optimism that we are in for a good summer.
When asked what their biggest expenditure was likely to be during their holidays, 50% of participants pointed to accommodation, 16% expect dining out to be their biggest expense, 15% expected car rental to take up more of their budget than anything else and 8% expected to spend most on entertainment. 29% of guests said that they would spend between €200-€300 per week, 18% expect to spend €300-€400 per week, 19% estimate weekly expenditure of €400-€500 and 10% anticipate spending €500-600 each week.
The top 10 holiday destinations that Irish people will be visiting this summer, according to Travelodge guests surveyed are:
1. Galway (including Connemara)
2. Dublin
3. Kerry (including Killarney)
4. Cork (including West Cork)
5. Waterford (including Dunmore East)
6. Wexford
7. Donegal
8. Limerick/Clare (including The Burren)
9. Antrim Coast (including Belfast)
10. Sligo/Mayo

Interestingly, 32% of couples claim to make joint decisions about where to holiday with 17% of males and 13% of females claiming it is their decision and theirs only!
Commenting on the research findings, Seamus McGowan, Managing Director, Travelodge Ireland said, “it’s great to see more Irish people choosing to holiday in Ireland this summer and it is essential that we continue to offer value to make their stay worthwhile. If we do, consumers are more likely to consider spending holidays in Ireland, not just this year but in the future. It is also interesting to see more people choosing to base themselves in major cities such as Dublin, Cork or Galway and then touring three or four areas at a time as part of their holiday. We have noticed a growth in the number of people using our hotels as a base and spending more time out and about touring the local area and the surrounding counties”.

Travelodge Ireland has rooms available for €29 per room per night or €203 for a full week. For more information on rooms and availability please visit www.travelodge.ie and all leading hotel booking websites.

The survey was carried out by Travelodge Ireland among 1,000 hotel guests to gain further insight into their holiday plans for 2009.