Latest news with #RuralTourismFund
The Journal
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
'Highly coincidental' Airbnb launched €100k in rural Ireland grants two weeks after clampdown, says TD
LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago Christina Finn 'IT IS HIGHLY coincidental' that Airbnb announced that it will provide grants for rural Ireland at a time when legislation is being progressed to clamp down on short term lets, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has said. Two weeks after government announced it is moving to ban planning permissions for short-term lets in towns of more than 10,000 people, Airbnb launched its 'Rural Tourism Fund', which it said will give a 'vital injection to rural areas across Ireland that rely on the benefits of tourism to support local families, businesses and culture'. Pledging to pay out €100,000 in grants, Airbnb states that the money they plan to give to local communities will help 'preserve and enhance innovative tourism projects across the country'. The Rural Tourism Fund grants range from €1,000 to €10,000 and are available to local organisations and community groups. The advertisement for the grants has been shared widely on Facebook by local councillors, TDs and some local authorities. 'I think that it's highly coincidental that Airbnb are providing grants for rural tourism at a time when legislation is being progressed that should clamp down on short term lets. Advertisement 'There is a massive housing crisis in rural areas and cities and short term let's are contributing to that crisis as homes are rented out on Airbnb instead of the long term rental or lived in by a home buyer,' said Hearne. Following the sign-off at Cabinet of the regulations, due to kick in in May 2026, there was criticism of the move by rural TDs such as Kerry TD and now Minister of State Michael Healy Rae and Cork TD and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins. Children's Minister Norma Foley, who also hails from Kerry, has also voiced her concerns about the impact such a measure might have on tourism in rural Ireland, such as her constituency. Hearne called on the government to clarify if planned restrictions on short-term lets will apply to towns located in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where populations are under the 10,000 threshold provided for in the new regulations. Cabinet agreed last month that short-term lettings in towns with populations of more than 10,000 people would fall under the measures. Hearne said it his view the entire country should be covered by short-term let regulations – not just towns with larger populations. Speaking on RTÉ's Claire Byrne Show this week, Minister Healy-Rae said while it is extremely difficult for people to get long-term housing in areas such as Killarney, but he doesn't believe the new regulations for short-term lets is a good idea. He stated that tourism is vital to areas such as Killarney, stating that those in the business of short-term lets will not return their properties to the long-term rental sector. 'I am genuinely afraid, because I'm hearing it from the people. They won't do that,' he said, stating that if the tourism accommodation is curtailed, it will not necessarily mean an increase in long-term rental accommodation, in his view, he said. Related Reads Increase in Airbnb listings not the 'root cause' of rental property shortages, research finds Short-term let rules one step closer as Cabinet gives green light 'Absolutely devastating': Kerry Councillors raise concerns about short-term lets register 'We don't want to cut off the availability for those people [tourists] being able to come, because when they come, remember, they're supporting local jobs, they're supporting local industry. So you can't cut of your nose to spite your face,' said Healy-Rae. He called for the provision whereby planning permissions will be banned for towns over 10,000 people should be revisited, stating that Killarney for instance has around 14,000 people living in it. Leader of Independent Ireland, Michael Collins TD, also sharply criticised the government's proposals stating that it threatens to destabilise rural tourism economies, particularly in west Cork. He said there will be far-reaching negative consequences for tourism-dependent communities. Airbnb has stated previously that it supports introduction of a register for short-term lettings and that it believes short-term lettings have an economic benefit to the Irish tourism economy. The Journal asked Airbnb for comment in relation to the new rural Ireland grants and around the timing of the announcement, just shortly after Cabinet signed off on progressing with the regulations. A spokesperson for Airbnb said it would not be commenting on the matter. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
03-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Revealed: The county that less Irish people have visited than gone to Asia
More Irish people have visited Asia than Co Leitrim, according to a new survey from Airbnb. Airbnb have announced a new Rural Tourism Fund, which will commit €100,000 in grants to support innovative tourism for communities that heavily rely on tourism. However, a survey that was carried out by the letting app found that more people holiday abroad than go on a 'staycation' — with 74% of Irish people holidaying abroad, in comparison with 48% of respondents who said that they want to travel more around the country. More Irish people have visited Asia than Co Leitrim, a new survey has found. Pic: Shutterstock Staggeringly, however, were the places that Irish people have visited; with 25% of the population saying that they've visited countries in Asia, which is more than those who have said that they visited Leitrim (18%) and Westmeath (24%). Other remarkable statistics found that more people have gone to North America (39%) than Sligo (37%), Tipperary (37%) and Meath (36%), while 81% of Irish people who have gone to countries in Africa have never gone to Monaghan. Speaking on the staggering results about her home county, comedian Katherine Lynch said that people are missing 'a lot' in the county that is the smallest by population, according to the latest census. A new Airbnb survey found that more people had travelled abroad than visited some counties, including Leitrim and Monaghan. Pic: Shutterstock 'People are missing a lot. They are missing Glencar waterfall, they've got Mohill, which is the capital of Leitrim — Carrick-on-Shannon thinks it is, but Mohill really is — and we've got Lough Rynn,' Katherine told Oliver Callan. 'And we've got great people. That's the most important thing, and we have the Leitrim Gathering soon.' Other fun facts Katherine told Oliver about Leitrim was that they didn't get their first full set of traffic lights until 2016, 13 years after they were promised (yes, really), and that they were the last country to get full phone numbers; joking that Leitrim only having three digits saved her from getting kicked out of the Gaeltacht for speaking English. 'It's a great place,' she said. 'We have such fantastic things to see. We have Drumshanbo, the home of gin. It is the most fantastic gunpowder gin you can taste and Carrick on Shannon is a great place and Dromahair is beautiful. We've got everything.' Airbnb have announced their new Rural Tourism Fund, which will hopefully boost tourism to rural areas. Pic: John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images The new Airbnb survey found that 71% of bookings are made in predominantly rural areas, with the majority being outside of Dublin. Through the Rural Tourism Fund, grants from €1,000 to €10,000 will be available to local organisations and community groups to boost local tourism and bring projects to life. 'We're fortunate to have some of the world's most stunning places right here in Ireland, and it's exciting to see nearly half of Irish people eager to explore more of our own country,' Derek Nolan, Airbnb's Head of Public Policy, said. 'Airbnb plays a key role in spreading tourism across Ireland, and the Rural Tourism Fund will boost and preserve the best of rural Ireland, allowing more people to experience our culture and beauty while benefiting local communities economically.'
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Asia over Leitrim? Report shows Irish travellers opt for abroad over certain counties
The new research comes on the heels of Airbnb's announcement of the Rural Tourism Fund, committing €100,000 in grants to support innovative tourism projects in the rural communities of Ireland where local families and businesses rely heavily on tourism. The study revealed that while 74% of Irish people holiday abroad at least once a year, half (48%) say they want to travel more on home soil with the beauty of the Irish scenery being their main inspiration. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook However, Airbnb have revealed new data which shows that a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim and 76% have never visited Westmeath. Three in four Irish holidaymakers go abroad at least once a year, and over a third (39%) have crossed the Atlantic to North America, however, fewer of us have been to Sligo (37%), Tipperary (37%) and Meath (36%). Additionally, 81% of Irish people who have been as far as Africa have never set foot in Monaghan. Despite almost half (48%) of people in Ireland saying they want to see more of their own country, only one in three actually take regular holidays in the form of staycations. Ahead of summer 2025, Airbnb has launched the Rural Tourism Fund to give a vital injection to rural areas across Ireland that rely on the benefits of tourism to support local families, businesses and culture. The vacation rental company says it is committing €100,000 in grants to preserve and enhance innovative tourism projects across the country. According to Airbnb, 71% of bookings in Ireland are made in predominantly rural areas and the majority of listings are outside of Dublin which the company says shows they are already playing a pivotal role in bringing visitors to the heart of the Irish countryside. Furthermore, Airbnb have said that through the Rural Tourism Fund, grants ranging from €1,000 to €10,000 will be available to local organisations and community groups to help bring their local projects to life and boost rural tourism - from launching or expanding a local festival, to upgrading community facilities. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the frequency of international travel for a large portion of the Irish population, many Irish counties are still getting recognition as ideal rural escapes with 60% of people in Ireland saying they would recommend a domestic holiday with the country's stunning scenery cited as one of many reasons to stay close to home. Locals love sampling food, mingling with the community and attending festivals and when it comes to rural escapes, Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow were revealed as the top choices for those seeking a holiday at home. Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Airbnb, said: 'We're fortunate to have some of the world's most stunning places right here in Ireland, and it's exciting to see nearly half of Irish people eager to explore more of our own country. "Airbnb plays a key role in spreading tourism across Ireland, and the Rural Tourism Fund will boost and preserve the best of rural Ireland, allowing more people to experience our culture and beauty while benefiting local communities economically.' Host Shelagh Nangle in County Westmeath said: 'It's brilliant that there's a growing desire for Irish people to explore more on our own shores. I've welcomed guests from America and all over Europe that are eager to experience the scenery and lively festivals local to us, and I would love to see more Irish families coming to embrace the beautiful countryside in their own backyard. "With Airbnb boosting local tourism offerings through the new Rural Tourism Fund, I hope surrounding communities will be able to share even more in the benefits of welcoming visitors from Ireland and beyond.' The Rural Tourism Fund is designed to help local organisations and communities bring their ideas to life. If you have a project that promotes or supports rural tourism in your community, you can apply by 11.59pm on June 16, 2025.
