Hotelier offers guests fuel subsidy
A Co Galway hotelier has been forced to pay guests a petrol subsidy because of the soaring cost of fuel.
Claregalway Hotel owner Paul Gill said he has taken the action to secure business because the government has failed to support the tourism industry hit by the hike in prices.
He is offering a three-night “refuel package” starting from €199 including meals, with a €50 fuel voucher for one of the local petrol stations thrown in.
“The reality is that rising fuel costs are having a serious effect on the home holidaymaker’s market,” Mr Gill, 38, said.
“Many holidaymakers feel that it is more cost effective to fly to Spain or Portugal on a cheap package deal, than to holiday at home, where petrol costs are now hitting €1.40 a litre.
“Given the current economic down-turn, the Government should be supporting our traditionally consistent industries such as tourism.”
Mr Gill, who has been operating the hotel since 2004 and is also chairman of the Galway branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, said the package pays the difference in the cost of fuel from last year to now for a three-day visit to the area.
“Since the package went live last Friday we have had a marvellous response which has far exceeded our expectations,” he said.
The latest price survey from AA Ireland shows that the retail price of petrol has shot up 13% since October.
The price of diesel rose almost 30% in the same period.
