asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether there has been any increase in the number of complaints from tourists regarding excessive hotel prices; and whether any consultations have taken place between Bord Fáilte and hotel owners on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Excessive Hotel Prices.
7.
There was a net increase of 19 in the number of complaints received by Bord Fáilte about hotel and guesthouse prices in the period January-October, 1967, as compared with the corresponding period in 1966, the number of complaints in these periods being 344 and 325 respectively.
In all these cases Bord Fáilte took up the complaints with the hotel or guesthouse owner involved. Where complaints of overcharging were justified a refund was obtained.
In their meetings with representatives of the hotel industry, Bord Fáilte regularly discuss the question of prices.
The Minister, of course, must understand that in the case of decent tourists the vast majority of them do not write letters. They just will not come again.
In reply to the Deputy it so happens that Bord Fáilte conducted a survey of travellers in 1966. The question was asked of those of them who had stayed in paid accommodation whether or not they considered the charge reasonable. Less than ten per cent considered the charge unreasonable. A further question was asked of British travellers, excluding Irish people resident in Britain, to compare their most recent holidays in Britain and on the Continent with those in Ireland. The question covered all charges of transport, hotels, private purchases et cetera. The result in respect of those whose last holiday was in Britain was that 16 per cent said that Ireland was much better value, 26 per cent that Ireland was better value, 33 per cent that Ireland was the same value. Nine per cent said that Ireland was worse value, one per cent said that Ireland was much worse value and 15 per cent made no reply. In respect of those whose last holiday was on the Continent, 5 per cent said that Ireland was much better value, ten per cent said that Ireland was better value; nine per cent said it was the same value, eight per cent that it was worse value; three per cent said it was much worse value; and 66 per cent gave no reply. In further reply to the Deputy, 82 per cent of the hotel bedrooms in this country are at prices of 40/- or below for bed and breakfast and 90 per cent of guesthouse bedrooms of 30/- or below.
Might I ask the Minister if he can enlighten the House with reference to worse value and much worse value and what is the difference if it is bad value?
It is like Fine Gael and Labour.
People are now getting used to answering innumerable questions in relation to facts of one kind or another and this was left to the emotional feeling of the people. One person's idea of worse value may be different from another's. If the Deputy likes, he can add one to the other and it will still reflect favourably on the hotel price position. I have already referred to the Financial Times report on the cost of accommodation, the cost of an evening out and the cost of a food basket in some 20 countries. We come well out of that. It is perfectly possible that there are black sheep here as in other communities.
Lower standards and higher prices.
Would the Minister not agree that it appears that 12 per cent on average were dissatisfied?
A lot of the cards were not completed. We are trying to create an image of Ireland abroad of a country of civilised institutions, with a better way of life and a standard of living much higher than foreigners think we have. We have to take that into account.
Is there a simpler answer to the question these people are asked: Will you come again?
I could not give detailed information to the Deputy. We are conducting a number of inquiries of this kind.
The Minister's views must not have been good value at the Árd Fheis.
The Deputy need not talk about the Árd-Fheis; it should be a lesson to him.
They could not even understand you. Did you speak in Irish to them?
Question No. 8.