PROFILE
CLAYTON HOTEL OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN FINGAL WE SPOKE WITH DES MCCANN, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE NEWLY REBRANDED CLAYTON HOTEL DUBLIN AIRPORT, TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE NEW BRAND AND WHAT THEY CAN BRING TO THE TABLE IN FINGAL.
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arlier this year, the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport, formerly known as the Bewleys Hotel Group Dublin Airport, underwent a major rebranding process following its acquisition by the Dalata group. A huge amount of co-ordination was involved in this rebranding – everything from the website to buses, signage and guest keys. “It went very well,” explains General Manager Des McCann. “The main aim was that it would go unnoticed for the guest.” Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport is one of a number of premises taking advantage of a third year of growth in the hotel sector, alongside rising hotel prices and the accompanying opportunity for investment. The 469room hotel is positioning itself as a major player in the corporate market, bolstered by a 300-capacity ballroom, 17 fully equipped meeting rooms and a relaxing corporate lounge, augmented by a park and fly shuttle bus service that operates every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day. And, with the ground floor already refurbished, the hotel’s bedrooms are next in line for renovation. McCann notes that although Irish hotel prices are rising swiftly through this period of growth, in contrast to our European peers this rate is actually quite average. Instead he focuses on the consequences for hotels – including a resumption of investment and training, and the creation of 23,000 additional tourism jobs throughout the country since 2011.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. THE REGION GENERATES AROUND €500 MILLION AND WE’RE SUSTAINING AROUND 20,000 JOBS
Des McCann, General Manager, Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport
“The future is bright. The region generates around 500 million and we’re sustaining around 20,000 jobs,” he says. “I think it’s important that we all play our part in that. For me, I’m currently looking at the opportunities to expand the hotel here. We’re looking at the potential of additional bedrooms, and a conference centre. If we can do that, we’ll be bringing in additional tourism, which in turn will generate jobs.” McCann is also aware of the importance of establishing the brand
in the local community – not simply in a superficial manner but one which can have a lasting impact. “I’m very mindful of the local area. We’ve just set up our local project committee... We are putting a plan in place where we want to go out into the local community and help, be it with local charities or groups, so we can get out there and give a little back. The local trade is hugely important to us here. So we’re looking at doing a lot of work around that and invite any Fingal group to get in contact,” he concludes.
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09/03/2016 15:24