A Lonely Planet article warning tourists about the horrors of visiting Dublin “does not make for pretty reading,” according to a travel expert.
The article warns that “accommodation shortages, soaring car rental costs, and airport chaos” are among the issues the city is struggling with post-pandemic.
Noting that soaring hotel costs are “wreaking havoc with holidaymaker’s budgets, the travel bible warns that weekend hotel prices range between €700 and €900 in July.
"Eye-watering"
It also warns that the cheapest price on Booking.com was €411 for a room in a student-accommodation centre, with the second cheapest an “eye-watering” €428 for two beds in a mixed hostel dormitory.
On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, ‘The Travel Expert’ Sarah Slattery said the article was “not pretty” for Dublin.
“The fact that it’s Lonely Planet means it has quite a large impact,” she said.
“There’s nothing that was too shocking in it all the same, or nothing we haven’t heard before.
“I think the car-hire situation is appalling but, at the same time, with regard to those hotel prices, while obviously the prices have increased, sometimes publications might pick a particular date where there are loads of concerts and events on.
“For every time someone will point out there are hotels for €500, I am sure I could find one for €100. So that can be misconstrued at times.”
Expensive
She said there is “definitely an issue with Dublin hotels” but insisted there are still “some great deals available” around the country.
“I think they’re there if you know where to look you can find them,” she said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the time, the inbound tourist doesn’t necessarily know where to look and if they’re reading articles like that, it’s not good.”
The Lonely Planet article also highlights the soaring costs of car rental – noting that rental companies sold off around half their cars during the pandemic.
It notes that the cheapest options available for a ten-day hire in August are sitting at around €1,750 – and average prices are now at around €3,000 for 10 days.
The article also notes that you have as much chance of winning the Lotto as you do of getting a walk-in spot at any of the city’s top restaurants on the weekend.
Meanwhile, it warns that Dublin Airport is “plagued by long lines at security” and encourages travellers to “give yourself plenty of time in the airport to catch your flight home — but not too much.”
You can listen back to Ms Slattery here:
