A new report has called for the compulsory licensing of all bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and for the introduction of a quality grading scheme.
The report was commissioned by the Town and Country Homes association which represents more than 60 per cent of the B&Bs registered with Fáilte Ireland.
Getting Fáilte Ireland approval for a B&B is a voluntary process and operators must pay in the region of €200 for the yearly approval. Registered B&Bs carry the familiar shamrock sign.
Kate Burns, chairwoman of the association said compulsory licensing would increase consumer confidence, reward effort and eliminate sub-standard operators. Consultation with the industry, trade, and marketing organisations found that 74 per cent supported mandatory licensing and registration.
“Up to 5,000 unapproved B&Bs are currently allowed to operate without any health and safety standards, undermining over 2,600 registered B&Bs who pay to be inspected,” she said. “In all other sectors of accommodation in Ireland you must register and be graded for quality and standards – so why not in B&Bs?” Ms Burns said.
The B&B sector is estimated to be worth more than €300 million to the Irish economy annually. Ms Burns said the sector was facing a number of serious challenges. “An explosion of low cost hotel accommodation, changing visitor trends which favour short, urban breaks and the continued presence of unapproved, unregulated establishments have all contributed to declining numbers of approved homes and decreasing occupancy and popularity.”
A pilot voluntary grading scheme could pave the way for compulsory licensing, she said and she called on Fáilte Ireland to address the issue.
Fáilte Ireland said it was mindful of the changes facing B&Bs and had established a working group to provide recommendations on the development of the sector.
Its head of industry standards and quality, Tony Lenehan said the jury was “still out” on the wisdom of making it compulsory to register B&Bs with the tourism body.
