Rachel Felicia Glenn
BSc, MSc
Consultant, Dublin, Ireland
Rachel provides strategic independent advice to clients in the hotel, tourism, and leisure sectors across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Rachel is part of the team that produces the Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey, a key performance and profitability benchmark document for the hotel industry; currently in its 28th year of publication.
Rachel Felicia Glenn is a Consultant with Crowe ireland / Horwath HTL Ireland, where she provides strategic, independent advice to clients in the hotel, tourism, and leisure sectors across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Her expertise spans hotel acquisition and disposal planning, value-adding strategies, family business transitions, branding and management decisions, operational efficiencies, and ESG initiatives aimed at enhancing business and asset value.
Rachel is an integral member of the team responsible for producing the 'Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey', a key performance and profitability benchmark for the Irish hotel industry, now in its 28th year of publication. This role underscores her commitment to delivering actionable insights that shape industry standards and inform strategic decisions.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management from École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL Hospitality Business School), where she specialised in Hotel Asset Management. She also earned a Master of Science in Law & Business from University College Dublin, with research focusing on the regulation of tourism accommodation in Ireland. Her academic credentials provide a strong foundation for her analytical and strategic approach to consultancy.
Before joining Horwath HTL, Rachel worked on hospitality projects across Europe and the United States, gaining valuable international experience. Additionally, she taught applied subjects such as Hotel Asset Management, Hotel Planning and Development, and Feasibility Analysis at EHL, further demonstrating her depth of expertise in the hospitality industry.
Rachel’s diverse experience and strong academic background position her as a trusted advisor in the HTL sector, offering clients innovative and data-driven solutions to navigate challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
Experience
Bold steps forward
We help clients achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Market Analysis to Support Buyer Due Diligence
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Sustainability Strategy for Hotel Group
Ireland
Commercial Due Diligence for Hotel Group Acquisition
Northern Ireland
Feasibility Study and Financing for Hybrid Hostel
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland and United Kingdom Market Entry Strategy
United Kingdom, Ireland
Strategic Advisory Services for Independent Hotel
Ireland
Feasibility Study for Proposed Large Conference Hotels
Dublin and Limerick, Ireland
Ireland Tourism Planning and Investment Strategy
Ireland
Expert insights
Cutting edge analysis.
Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey
Crowe Ireland is delighted to publish the 28th edition of the Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey. This year’s survey captures a full year trading for hotels unlike any of the three prior years which were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The results continue to illustrate the remarkable recovery in the marketplace post-pandemic and while the impact of high cost inflation and the war in Ukraine have moderated, these are more than made up for by increased costs of doing business, especially payroll. The survey also collates hotelier sentiment on key matters which impacted their businesses during the year and their outlook on the strength of the recovery on revenues, costs and profit levels.
Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey 2022
Crowe/Horwath HTL Ireland recently released the 26th Annual Hotel Industry Survey – a survey of the Pandemic Era, 2020 and 2021. Across 2020 and 2021, the hotel sector in Ireland recorded a massive loss in revenue due to the Government restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, including periods of business closure, travel restrictions and social distancing as well as the reduction in worldwide travel. Revenue fell by 65% in 2020 and 49% in 2021 against 2019 levels. The extremely low occupancy levels of 29.6% in 2020 and 39.5% in 2021, compared to 73.8% in 2019, further confirm the unprecedented impact that the pandemic had on business levels in comparison to a normal year of trading. The cumulative impact of supports from the Government was to convert the sector from loss-making to profitable at EBITDAR level. These supports included a reduction in VAT to 9%, payroll support schemes (TWSS and EWSS), the COVID Response Support Scheme (CRSS) and other grants and cost waivers. However, the levels of EBITDAR profits for 2020 and 2021 were still down 82% and 42% respectively on 2019 levels.compared to 2019, reflecting the unprecedented challenges faced by the industry.
Ireland: Hotel Market Trends & Analysis
The Irish hotel sector has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with restrictions beginning to lift in June 2021, there is optimism for a robust recovery to pre-pandemic performance levels. In 2019, despite a VAT increase impacting revenues, Ireland’s hotel market was financially strong. Dublin remained a prime location for hotel development, maintaining high occupancy levels and adding new bedrooms.
Market Report: Ireland
The tourism industry in Ireland is valued at over €9bn supporting one in ten jobs in the country. The sector has seen significant growth over the last decade, with international visitor numbers alone increasing by over 30% (from the previous peak in 2007) to over 10 million visitors in 2018. Ireland is a leading tourist destination, enriched with history and culture and with continued improvements in infrastructure and access, the outlook for the hospitality sector remains positive. This report, written by Naoise Cosgrove of Horwath HTL Ireland, provides an insight into Ireland’s dynamic tourism and hospitality market.