2010 TOURISM YEAR IN REVIEW

2010 was a pretty significant year and here are a few things which caught my attention -

• The eruption of an unpronounceable volcano (Eyjafjallajokull) in Iceland resulted in the closure of European airspace for almost 6 days in April. While Ireland's airports shut, huge numbers of businesses were left to count the cost. In addition, record snowfalls at the beginning and end of the year had a similiar negative impact
• Full service airlines continued to merge. In Europe, British Airways and Iberia decided to join forces while in the USA, United Airlines and Continental Airlines agreed a similiar move. Both mergers followed earlier tie-ups between Air France and KLM and between Delta and Northwest
• The Savoy London, one of the world's most famous hotels, re-opened after a three year £220 million restoration, while Shangri La opened its first European hotel in Paris
• The cruise sector bucked industry trends with the launch of eleven new ships (27,000 berths). Royal Carribbean's 5,400 passenger Allure of the Seas is the largest of the new vessels
• With the inauguration of the rail link between Madrid and Valencia, Spain has the largest high speed rail network in Europe (2655km). It is now second only to China on a global scale
• The big 4 opened in Dublin: Terminal 2 (T2), Convention Centre Dublin (CCD), Aviva Stadium & the Grand Canal Theatre
• The Department of Arts Sports and Tourism was renamed the Department of Tourism Culture & Sport. Mary Hanafin was appointed Minister replacing Martin Cullen
• On March 17th, iconic buildings and attractions around the world including the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, the Empire State Building and the CN Tower in Toronto turned green in honour of St Patrick's Day
• Dublin was appointed a City of Literature by UNESCO. It is only one of four such cities worldwide, the others being Edinburgh, Iowa City and Melbourne
• In an effort to stimulate overseas visitor numbers, Fáilte Ireland and Irish Rail introduced the 'Golden Trekker' - a scheme whereby visitors aged 66 or over could travel by train for free in the Republic of Ireland. No word yet on whether it will continue in 2011
• An 18km traffic free walking and cycling facility, the Great Western Greenway, opened in Mayo. It primarily follows the line of the old Newport/Mulranny railway which closed in 1937. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network which is currently under development
• More hotels went into receivership including Citywest, Finnstown House, the Heritage in Killenard & Portlaoise and the Osprey in Naas. Meanwhile, many properties increasingly operate under management contracts with Dalata Ltd now Ireland largest hotel group (19 hotels, 3,000 bedrooms). Tifco Hotel Group has also grown (9 hotels & over 16oo bedrooms)
• The Gibson Hotel Dublin was the only new opening, while many were sad to see the doors of The Montrose in Stillorgan close
• According to ITIC, visitor numbers to Ireland are estimated to have decreased by 16% to 5.5 million while earnings from overseas visitors have fallen by one third since 2007
• The CSO announced that tourism & travel statistics will issue on a quarterly basis rather than on a monthly basis as had been the case previously
• A Food Tourism strategy was launched by Fáilte Ireland
• Notable retirements this year included John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, and Frank Magee, Chief Executive Dublin Tourism. Tim Fenn replaced John Power while Frank Magee' s sucessor has yet to be announced. I wish them all well
• Finally, Frommer's readers have voted Ireland their favourite destination for 2011. So here's hoping!