Hotel hosting Ukrainian refugees faces dilemma as summer looms

A hotelier has said that providing accommodation for refugees will become “unsustainable” as summer season hits unless more support comes from the Government., as the room rates currently paid by Government may not be enough to justify passing up tourist trade. The Danby Hotel is currently hosting over 40 Ukrainian people across 27 rooms, catering to refugees who have arrived into Rosslare Europort nearby.

But manager Ocean Song said bar and restaurant sales are down 40 percent over the past fortnight, which he said won’t be possible to maintain past its current contract with the Department of Children into July.
“We’re happy to provide the space here but we have a decision to make once we hit June. We’re trying to do our best to support them. We’ve refused a lot of bookings and this is stopping our business when we’re usually flat out.”

The hotel is paid the winter rate for a guest by the department for each person it hosts, roughly €25-€35 less than the summer rate.
“Lots of Irish people and English people would pass by here normally and stay with us and that’s not happening now. It will be very difficult [if the rate isn’t increased].”

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