The Holiday Inn property was a major new addition to the accommodation stock around the airport when it opened in July. Its owner, the JMK group, is said to be preparing to enter an exclusive arrangement with the State to house asylum seekers, which would be likely to guarantee it a stable income for 12 months.
Some global branded hotels are heavily reliant on their membership of international booking engines to source much of their custom, especially if they are in locations with low footfall that are not popular with local visitors. The booking platform of Holiday Inn brand owner IHG Hotels is especially important for driving international business to its franchisees.
JMK’s large Holiday Inn property is tucked away behind Dardistown Cemetery, across the motorway from the airport. It would not have a huge passing trade of locals and its location will have made it difficult for it to easily pivot to the staycation market after it opened just last July. Thousands of new hotel rooms are in the planning pipeline for Dublin, yet uncertainty remains over how international travel will recover. Several developers are likely keep a keen eye on the extent of the recovery this year of air travel before making a final call on whether to proceed.