Irish Self Catering Federation

Review of bookings on online platforms based on Eurostat data shows that IReland has one of greatest reduction in bookings between 2019 and 2022. We are losing a lot of rural economic benefit as a result. A Register need to be in place so we can quantify existing businesses and allow for development of the sector.
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Hotel rates are astronomical for 3 night family stay in Ireland this summer. The RPZ legislation introduced in 2018, and has crept across the country. The ISCF has asked repeatedly to meet Min for Housing to discuss Guidelines to allow existing business to continue, and new business to open. Many SME family businesses in rural Ireland have closed as a result = hotel rates go up, up, up.
Details below from ISCF Government Lobbying information from ISCF. Join the ISCF on https://iscf.ie/join-us/

On Drivetime recently discussed the issues related to related to Self-catering lets - listen to the end! The Dept for Housing said Planning Guidelines still being developed and referred to Dept of Tourism - who are still drafting the Register for STR Bill which will be with Government shortly.
The Self-catering industry needs certainty we can continue in Business. If you own a self-catering you need to be a member of the ISCF.ie




https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22415647/

The Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill concerns A number of tourism-related associations are raising concerns that the government’s delay in publishing new regulations for short-term holiday lets will have a ‘devastating’ impact on rural tourism. Reporter Una Kelly has more on this.

Campervans are a great way to travel the Wild Atlantic Way. But they need to be managed with park overnight in designated parking bays, not every laneway or pull in spaces on the narrow roads. Planning needs to be given to SME Family businesses to develop such services.

The Scottish island driving a plan to charge motorhomes The island wants to get something back from the rising number of people visiting in motorhomes and campervans

Loss to SME businesses difficult to calculate - but self-catering have lost a lot of bookings due to the Aer Lingus strike, mostly with SME businesesses in rural areas.
Cafes, pubs, restaurants, activity providers & car hire all lose income - in rural Ireland. The tourism ecosystem is interlined and all suffere due to an strike in high season.

Tourism agencies criticise ‘really regrettable’ pilots’ industrial action Aer Lingus agreement with pilots will ‘definitely give a boost to the market’, says chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association

Thanks to the Car Rental Council for supporting the call from Tourism group for clear guidelines for Self-Catering. The following requested a meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris TD on 11/6/24 - ITIC along IAAT, RAI, VHIreland along with the ISCF.
The Tourism Ecosytem includes a lot of small family businesses which are seriously struggling in a year when we have increased costs in vat heat and power, access via air with cancellations due to the Aer Lingus strike, and capacity with lots of tourism beds on longterm Government contracts - and they plan to close down 10700 self-catering businesses. All sectors of the tourism ecosystem will suffer it this happens.

Capacity challenges mean lack of tourism beds. What is this Government trying to do - close down Self-catering beds all over rural Ireland based on latest dat from Failte Ireland. Farmers Journal article.

Article in Living section this week on Self-catering. Still waiting for Taoiseach Simon Harris to meet the tourism sector. Min o Brien also too busy to meet to resolve issue before Register is in place. A serious mess.

At Energy and Farm Diversification Show in Gurteen today. Majella Prendergast (ISCF Board Member) met with members Niamh Byrne (Abhainn Rí, Wicklow); Michael ([email protected] Kilkenny) with Barry Caslin Teagasc. Farm family businesses, with self-catering.

Copenhagen welcomes sustainable visitors who bring own coffee cups, ride a bike or do some litter clean up. A much more positive way to welcome tourists than Barcelona’s water pistols!

Copenhagen offers tourist rewards as other EU nations clamp down The Danish capital hopes to lure climate-friendly and well-behaved travellers with perks such as free drinks and skiing

Farm Diversification Show at Gurteen on 18/07 with lots of talks, stands, demontrations and experts.

Energy & Farm Diversification Show 'Ireland's leading event for rural entrepreneurs to diversify into energy, food and agri-tourism.' Gurteen College, Co. Tipperary|Thursday, 18th July 2024|8.30 am - 5.30 pm Click here to buy ticketsSell tickets online with Ticket Tailor Sign Up to our Newsletter Sign up to receive early updates on ...

Balance d article on over tourism by Corry. Self-catering accommodation has been taken over by housing rather than tourism regulators.
Over tourism is an issue only at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland while cruise ships are banned in Venice. Balanced, proportionate and fair legislation needs to be in place for STR tourism industry as a whole important part of Irish economy. Tourism is the largest indegenous employer in rural Ireland and needs to be supported.

A crash course in Airbnb and Holiday Lets Register Legislation in Irish Times 13/7.
The Register with which is welcomed by all and the Planning Restrictions discussed. Not mentioned were all the EU laws which previous bills broke and the TRIS process which protects SME family businesses. Planning for exisiting STR businesses needs to be clarifited with clear Guidelines for Planners and owners of STR before the Register is intorduced. The legislation will foster the development of SME tourism businesses all over rural Ireland or decimate it.
The lack of progress on the issue of planning which affects many family buinesses in Ireland is shocking.

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At Teagasc Oak Park today where a celebration of 60 years of Agricultural Innovation ISCF member Majella Prendergast< ISCF Board Member congratulated Cynthia ní Mhurchú on her election as MEP for Ireland South.

Based on present Government projections over 10,700 self-catering SME business, mostly in rural Ireland could be closed down by a lack of clarity in planning for existing businesses when the Register for STR is introduced. The ISCF calls for a Derogation for existing businesses, before the Register is introduced.

McConalogueTD

Airbnb: New rules could 'impact' on tourism in rural communities - Agriland.ie Airbnb has warned that proposed new rules for short-term lets could have a "detrimental impact" on tourism in rural communities.

The ISCF welcomes the Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins earlier this week. This accommodation can be used as short-term rental during the summer months, and be part of the Register for STR.

President signs into law new legislation to ban 51-week student leases The legislation also stops accomodation providers from demanding more than one month’s rent in advance.

Thanks to Min. Enerprise, Trade & Employment for listening and opening an Government One Stop Shop for SME Businesses so can acces all Government supports in one place at .Gov.ie or phone 01.7272 100. There are 19 different agencise accessed online or by phone to answer questions on supports.


https://x.com/DeptEnterprise/status/1811025208733577288

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Register for STR bill welcome but after 2.5 yrs of talks the industry has not yet seen the Guidlines for Planners & Owners of STR from Dept Housing. The Guidelines need to be agreed so the Register can proceed. Shocking way to treat SME family tourism businesses, mostly in rural areas.

In the dark on plans for short-term letting Government is two years planning legislation but has yet to consult interested parties

New Partner in Business Announcement Special offer created by Go Power for all our ISCF Members. 100% Green electricity. The ISCF can now avail of a discounted 12 month rates for their 24 hr and night meters. Discounted standing charge: DG2 standing charge 0.2598 cent per day For more information visit www.gopower.ie. or send an email to [email protected]

For decades Irish families throughout the country have offered the self catering accommodation option to tourists, particularly in tourist areas. This has become an integral part of their family income and not a part time job. This brings much needed revenue to the local rural economy.
The register being brought in for STR is a welcome development for our members but the introduction of costly and onerous planning permission could have disastrous results.

Airbnb urges State not to drag all short-term holiday lets into planning system Holiday lets not suitable for long-term rental should fall outside any new controls, platform says

There is no correlation between rental rates and self-catering properties according to Eurostat. When comparing the first quarter of 2024 with 2010, among the EU countries for which data are available, house prices increased more than rents in 20 countries.
is essential but we don not loot all pharmacies.
Why does Irish Gov want close down self-catering SME family businesses in rural Ireland to solve housing issues?
Longterm rents increased in 26 EU countries, with the highest rises registered in Estonia (+201%), Lithuania (+174%) and Ireland (+104%). The only decrease in rent prices was recorded in Greece (-19%).
Carity needed on planning for Self-catering owners of all types, before the Regiser for STR is introduced.

Eurostat housing data shows no correlations between short-term tourism rentals and house prices - yet the Governemtn plan to close down self-catering.
When comparing the first quarter of 2024 with 2010, among the EU countries for which data are available, house prices increased more than rents in 20 countries. House prices more than doubled in Estonia (+223%), Hungary (+207%), Lithuania (+170%), Latvia (+140%), Czechia (+125%), Austria (+108%) and Luxembourg (+101%).
Clear Data is essentail to all decison-makiing

Google Play is supporting SME businesses with its algorythim. Each Self-catering business needs to have its own website, even if on Marketing or OTA sites.
Take photos during the summer and will do webinar in September on website building for SME businesses.



https://t.co/Aq9L0FCexC https://x.com/skift/status/1810028056838340775?s=51&t=qBAVSgGRFbXbaYupr6oINw

x.com

Mayor Rui Moreira of Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, sees how the growing short-term let market can drive urban regeneration.
Why can the Irish Government not see this as a tourism offering solution?

Meet the mayor who sees Airbnb as an agent for good It’s better to have a short-term rental in a house that’s been refurbished than to have a ruin, says the head of Portugal’s second-largest city.

When giving views on housing commentators should have clear up to date, informed data on regulations. Barcelona has restricted STR since 2014, with restriction of 10k units , while house prices and lack of rental continue to ruse. The EU are taking taking Barcelona to Court for breach ‘EU Directive’.

Catherine Conlon: Tourism is important, but housing is even more so – it's time for Ireland to follow Barcelona and Finland’s lead Homeless figures hit a new record this month with 14,159 now in emergency accommodation, the highest number ever recorded. These stark figures include 4,316 children and 2,051 families.

Contratulations to Limerick first elected Mayor met Minister and Minister for Housing in Customs House this week.
Looking forward to an invite to the ISCF to discuss the Derogation for established Self-catering businesses.

ESRI Housing report has a significantly raise ambition for house building with new housing targets’ said Simon Harris Housing growth in Dublin, Meath east and Cork city with over 45% of population growth.
Why is 75% of the housing stock in RPZ areas, not allowing Self-catering development? This includes full county of Waterford and Limerick and tourism hubs of Westport and Killarney. Makes no sense.



https://www.esri.ie/publications/population-projections-the-flow-of-new-households-and-structural-housing-demand

Has anyone done an assessment on the increase in cost of hotel rates in Dublin since the RPZ regulations were introduced? Edinburgh hotels increase by 9% in 2024 and 82% increase since 2019.

Airbnb regulation review of controversial Scots licensing scheme A review of Edinburgh’s controversial short term lets licensing will take place this summer.

Question on longterm rental in Irish Times. Seems the only way to increase the rent on longterm rental is to - sell the property. RPZ regulations do not work for longterm or short-term holiday rentals. The only way to increase rent is to leave the property empty for 2 years before the next rental - no wonder so many SME landlords are leavng the market.

We want to sell but my tenant has offered a 40% rent increase if they can stay. What can I do? We have decided to sell the house because it’s not economically viable to be a landlord

Sustainable Self-Catering Green Accommodation for the Edinburgh Festival? Cruise ship sails from US to provide beds during the Edinburgh Festival, while local owner closed down by legislation - crazy legislation …and they having an election this week!