Hopes Of Significant Economic Boost This Year Following Return Of 13 Hotels To Clare Tourism Sector

A Clare hotelier has expressed hope for a significant boost to the local economy in 2026 following a 40% reduction in the number of the county's hotels being used for housing asylum seekers. Over 1,500 tourism beds have been freed up in the county since February 2025, with 13 fewer hotels in the county now contracted for accommodating Ukrainian refugees. Research carried out by Fáilte Ireland found that for every euro spent by tourists on accommodation in Clare, €2.50 was spent on ancillary services across the county. Clare Tourism Advisory Forum Chair, Sean Lally, has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady that tourists will be inclined to spend more if room prices drop due to increased supply.