A report commissioned by the Irish Self-Catering Federation highlights the significant economic and social role of the self-catering sector in Ireland, particularly in rural areas.
Tourism and related activities make a very strong contribution to Irish economic activity. The particular importance of the sector is that much of the employment and economic activity is spread around the rural and regional areas, as well as the large urban areas. The self-catering sector is a growing and is a very important component of tourism in Ireland and around the world.
Self-catering holidays are a key element of Ireland’s tourism offering. Its role is particularly important in an environment where there is a significant lack of tourist accommodation around the country due to under-investment in hotels and the removal of significant beds from the tourism market to accommodate immigrants around the country.
The sector is dominated by small operators. The survey of ISCF members suggests that almost 64 per cent of operators own 1 property and almost 92 per cent own up to 4 properties.
Self-catering contributes notably to local businesses and tourism sustainability, especially where hotel options are scarce. Challenges include the impact on long-term rental availability and the decline in properties. Proposed regulations and improved registration aim to balance long-term and short-term rentals while enhancing data collection for informed policy.
Key findings:
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