INTERNATIONAL AND domestic visitors to the Rose of Tralee festival accounted for the sale of 6,000 bed nights and 3,000 hotel rooms last August, according to the organisers.
This accounted for 87 per cent of the hotel room capacity for the eight hotels in Tralee from August 20th to 24th, according to the figures released yesterday. The average length of stay was three nights. Other holiday providers including apartments, guesthouses and hostels also gained during the five-day festival.
Rose of Tralee spokesman John Drummey said the figures were very encouraging for the town, the accommodation providers and the festival.
It was also announced yesterday that Tralee-native Oliver Hurley, who began his theatrical career as a performer with Siamsa Tíre at the age of nine, has been appointed general manager of the 52- year-old Rose of Tralee festival.
Mr Hurley was artistic director of Siamsa, the national folk theatre of Ireland, based in Tralee, from 2000-2005 and he established his own school of musical theatre in 2005. He twice won best director at the Aims national awards ceremony. The development of new centres abroad would be one of his ambitions, Mr Hurley said.
Anthony O’Gara is to become executive chairman of the Rose of Tralee international festival with a broader and strategic role in guiding the organisation forward.
He will continue to work closely with the lead sponsors Newbridge Silverware and other major sponsors, including RTÉ and the Carlton Hotel Group.
The festival organisers are progressing with a permanent centre for the festival, to replace the Dome which is erected temporarily each year.
The Rose of Tralee website is roseoftralee.ie