Although tourist attractions may be closed for public entry, mountains of costs are being accrued in the wake of pandemic lockdowns.
As spring draws closer, it is clear that we’re not yet out of the woods. Recent announcement of an extended lockdown that will see us through until post-Easter holidays at the earliest is devastating for Ireland’s tourist attractions.
While this is another harsh blow to public-facing industries across the board, tourist attractions remain one of the worst-hit sectors.
In exclusive interviews for Ireland Before You Die, we speak with Roisin FitzGerald, Marketing Manager of Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, and Tom O’Rahilly, Director of the National Leprechaun Museum Dublin.
The harsh reality – a devastating year for the tourism industry
In conversation with FitzGerald and O’Rahilly, the subjects of lockdown restrictions and the impact on businesses are debated.
Tom O’Rahilly states, “It is hard to disagree with some [of the] restrictions. How effective these are, and the level of compliance is another thing. The problem is not fixed anywhere until it is fixed everywhere. It would be nice to think we can all work together to solve big problems.”
For Fota Wildlife – one of Ireland’s leading animal conservation charities – the Covid-19 pandemic has closed its gates. FitzGerald explains the pressures of the financial and physical upkeep that continues amidst the pandemic.
“Fota Wildlife is a non-profit organisation and is also a registered conservation charity. A large portion of its income comes from daily visitors, annual pass holder sales and gift shop revenue.
“The cost of feeding the 135 species, which is approximately €35,000 a month continues. And the animals in the park continue to get the same level of care they receive year-round regardless of whether the park is open or closed.”
Business on the brink – a huge decline in visitors
Pre-Covid, Fota Wildlife received an average of 460,000 visitors a year. Now, it hangs, waiting for the tourism section to return.
“The government has indicated to the public not to plan for a foreign holiday in 2021, so hopefully the domestic holiday and staycation market will provide a much-needed source of income to all of the tourism-related businesses in the coming summer months of 2021.”
For the National Leprechaun Museum, O’Rahilly shares how the business has adapted through the highs and lows of the last year, living alongside the pandemic.
“We have been badly affected by the drop in overseas visitors. As restrictions were introduced in late March 2020, we began to refund our summer bookings.
“The two-metre rule meant that when we opened in July, our tour sizes were limited and our capacity reduced by 75%. The reduction in overseas visitors certainly had an impact. Our domestic audience (especially in Dublin) who were more likely to take a seaside break added to the general downturn.”
As the summer lies just a few months ahead, businesses plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Tom O’Rahilly adds, “short-haul European flights will probably bounce back quickest if Michael O’Leary has anything to do with it, but I expect there will be a few bumps along the way!”
