COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, May 16, 2011
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor M. Duff
Cathaoirleach's Business
That this Committee asks the Manager to make a report to this Committee regarding the World Irish Dancing Championship, held in City West Resort and to indicate how many many people attended, how many hotel nights were booked and a projected figure of the value generated by the Championships for the County.
REPORT:
The 41st World Irish Dancing Championships took place at Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre from the 17th to the 24th of April.
Attendance:
Total attendance for the eight day event exceeded 25,000. In addition to the average daily attendance of 4,500 over three separate venues within the complex, the event organisers ran several in house events that included the following attendance figures:
Irish Dance Teachers Reception: 450
Michael Flately Visit : 1,000
President McAlesse: 1,000
Beoga Concert: 800
Irish Dance Drama : 1,500
Gala Ball : 960
4,500 competitors representing 32 countries.
The event organisers believe that the event this year has had the highest attendance figures to date.
Accommodation:
The organisation An Coimisiun block booked accommodation in 7 hotels in South Dublin County. Several of the contracted hotels were fully booked for the duration of the event.
Number of hotels room nights within the accommodation block: 10,268
Rate: €95 single €120 double +
Additionally 3rd party bookings were received in 4 other member hotels in South Dublin County. Bookings are also confirmed in short-term stay apartments, local Bed & Breakfasts and Guesthouses.
Number of room nights outside the accommodation block: 4,200
Transport:
Flybus and Aircoach operated a dedicated shuttle service from Dublin Airport to the hotels in South Dublin. Working with DAA, SDCT ensured that directional signage and promotion of the service was clearly visible in both T1 and T2.
Rate: €14 per person return
SDCT organised transport member Dualway to operate 4 double-decker buses operating a shuttle service from the contracted hotels to the convention centre every day. Hours of operation were from 7am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. The bus fee was complimentary to guests who purchased the €95/120 accommodation package. 3rd party bookings were charged €2 per person each way.
All hotels reported increased use of local taxis/minibuses to cover additional transport requests.
Preliminary economic impact of the event:
Failte Ireland estimates that a visitor staying in Ireland for 3 to 4 days will spend €470 per person. With a confirmed footfall of 25,000 international and domestic visitors and an average stay of 4 to 6 days the economic value to South Dublin County can be estimated at €23 million. It must be noted that An Coimisiun have recorded the highest daily ticket sales as many competitors from within a commuting distance of the venue attracted significant ticket sales to extended family members.
Summary comments from members of South Dublin County Tourism of the benefit of the event to their business and South Dublin County.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank South Dublin County Tourism most sincerely for all your help throughout the World Irish Dancing. At a time which is historically very quiet during an academic midterm break the Event could not have come at a better time for us.
The revenue that we generated was certainly way above that off the same week last year and the average room rate was also well up.
We would love to help in any way that we can, going forward to help City West/South Dublin County Tourism to secure as many big conferences as possible to our county.
We look forward to working together again in the future.’
Linda Blanchfield
Group Sales, Louis Fitzgerald
‘The Irish Dancing Championships had a very positive impact on Citywest Shopping Centre. We saw a increase in footfall over the duration of the event as well as an increase in dwell time. Our units benefitted from the influx of not only foreign visitors, but also visitors from the greater Dublin and Kildare region, raising our profile in these areas. Feedback from our costumers regarding this event was universally positive. We also had positive feedback from our retailers. Citywest Shopping Centre, through South Dublin County Tourism Ltd. will lend its full support to similar future events.’
Hans Gerber
Manager, Citywest Shopping Centre
‘Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre was delighted with the over all results of the World Irish Dancing. Occupancy was at 100% for the week, which is an increase of 60% on the Easter period over previous years. An additional 150 full time staff was employed over the week bring the number of staff on site to 500. We estimate that over 5000 people were on site every day and were catered for by the hotel and local mobile vendors. Citywest also engaged local providers of bouncy castles, go carting and amusements to provide onsite entertainment.
The shuttle servicer operated by Dualways between the hotels were seamless and a very welcome service. The Aircoach and Flybus were a fabulous addition to the smooth connectivity with Dublin Airport and it’s safe to say that every taxi company in the county was on site with a constant flow of service for the attendees.
We have also had exceptional feedback from local bars, restaurants, shops and other retail outlets from as far away as Naas expressing their thanks and confirmed receipt of business from the World Irish Dancing.
We now look forward to the CLRG All Ireland’s in February (with the same estimated attendance) and the presentation of the next cycle of “World’s” in September 2011. We are most appreciative of the support of South Dublin County Council and South Dublin Tourism in assisting in securing this event and setting a template for researching and bidding on future events of this caliber.’
Sally Anne Browne
Special Events & Exhibitions
Citywest Hotel, Conference, Leisure & Golf Resort
Sample testimonials:
‘Thanks so much for all of your assistance over the World Irish Dancing Championships. I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the competition being held in Dublin, and I'm sure much of that has to do with the job that the tourism team did, so a heartfelt thanks is in order!’
Aida Campbell, CMP
Strategic Account Manager/ Event Management
Experient
Denver, Colorado, USA
‘I would like to take this opportunity to compliment you and your staff on making our "Irish Experience" most memorable for myself and my son. My son is the recipient of the "Make the Wish Foundation" for chronically ill children as he has Cystic Fibrosis but also an accomplished Irish Dance competitor of 9 years representing Canada. Our trip was important not only to enable him to compete in Irish Dancing but also it is a meaningful life experience that makes the most of an expected shorter lifespan than most of are able to enjoy. From a parent’s point-of-view, this is critical.
From the moment of your confirming our reservation online from Canada to the departure and checkout time on April 24th it was flawless. Not having been a visitor to Ireland before, let alone traveling overseas and traveling 17 hours without sleep your staff were most accommodating. Upon our arrival at Dublin we greeted at the airport by the World Irish Championship organizers who then directed us to the shuttle bus that took us directly to Citywest. This was most comforting as we were unsure as to how we would get safely to our hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel and arriving earlier than the expected check-in time your staff had our room ready and accommodated us without any fuss in a cordial manner. As a result of my son's condition, we require medication that needs refrigeration. Your staff promptly provided us with an in-suite refrigerator along with a maintenance staff member who helped us sort out the use of the electrical power with his medication pump.
Through out our stay we have only praise for the level of services provided in your Fitness facility, Bistro, lounge-reception area, Lemon Grass Restaurant, Carver Buffet and with breakfast buffet. Acknowledging the volume of quests and the high turn-over of quests that are being seating there was never a problem with the staff attending to every detail of a correctly setting.
It is with special mention that I would like to draw your attention to one of the most valuable services provided at your hotel, namely, your Concierge, Mark and your Executive Driver Dominic. Their professionalism and prompt services has put a special personal shine on our experiences at Citywest. On our last day, Friday, April 23rd they were able to research organize a personalize a tour that will be unforgettable for my son and I. As you are surely aware, to visit the historic site of New Grange, advanced booking and reservations are required. Dominic was particularly resourceful in not only coordinating our touring but was able to accommodate our visit to this UNESCO site and educate us on numerous other topics pertaining to Ireland and its culture while working in visits to neighbouring historic sites. Both of these gentlemen, in my opinion, went beyond the call of duty and has represented your hotel with a strong and lasting impression that surely would encourage any traveler to return.
It is with great pleasure that I wish to thank you and congratulate your staff for making our "Irish experience" so memorable.’
Brian C. Kerr
‘Just a quick note to let you know that we had a fantastic stay at the hotel at the weekend, all the staff were brilliant and the service very good I would definitely come back and recommend it to my friends.’
Mhairi Marmion
‘My daughter teaches Irish dance for the Kelly Hendry School of Irish Dance in Newcastle and approx 70 people including adults and children from our school had the pleasure of staying at the City West for the 2011 Irish Dance World Championships.
From our first contact with you and your colleagues in reservations our experience was always positive, I can only imagine the task of accommodating everyone's needs, but the feedback from our group is that any time they contacted you or your colleagues about their booking you were always so helpful.
We must commend all the staff inc reception , concierge, chamber maids, restaurant staff ( the chef in particular cant remember his name but he had a foreign accent ) bar staff , security, the bar staff in the arena and halls were so friendly and helpful.
Our week was capped off by the Ball on the last Saturday and we all had a fabulous time.
We would like to thank everyone at the City West for making our trip so enjoyable and we pray that the hotel can come through these difficult times.’
Kathleen Hendry
‘I just had to thank you for all the trouble you went to so that I could stay at Citywest for the duration of the Irish Dancing World Championships. I had the most wonderful time: My room was absolutely beautiful, the view breathtaking and the breakfasts delicious. It was one of the nicest holidays I have ever had, and it was thanks to you that I did not have to move to another (not so nice!) hotel in the middle of it.
I miss Ireland and Citywest and really hope I can be there for the All Irelands next year. Thank you again; I truly appreciate what you did for me.’
Francesca Robert