Garrett Power, Managing Director of Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, has been elected Chair of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), which represents hotels and guesthouses across the county.
A Kerry native, Mr Power brings over twenty years of senior leadership experience to the role, having previously held the positions of General Manager of Cliff at Lyons, Hotel Manager at The InterContinental Dublin, General Manager with The Culloden Estate & Spa in Belfast and multiple leadership positions at The Merrion Hotel.
He also serves as Chair of the Fáilte Ireland Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Killarney and as Director of TouristSOS. Mr Power is recognised for strategic vision, commercial acumen and a people-centred leadership style focused on elevating hospitality excellence and strengthening Kerry’s global tourism reputation.
Commenting on his election as Branch Chair, Mr Power said: “It is a great honour to lead the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation. Our hotels and guesthouses are the beating heart of Kerry’s economy, helping to sustain over 16,000 tourism livelihoods throughout the county. I look forward to representing them and working closely with my IHF colleagues to engage with Government and industry partners to address the challenges we face head on, including the very high costs of doing business within our industry.”
“On behalf of my colleagues and fellow hoteliers in Kerry, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Chair Brian Lawlor for his leadership and the tireless commitment throughout his tenure. During this time, he has provided a strong voice for local hotels on behalf of our sector, ensuring the voice of Kerry tourism was heard at the highest levels.”
IHF President Michael Magner said: “I am delighted to congratulate Garrett on his election. His extensive experience is a tremendous asset to the IHF as we advocate for our members and our wider tourism industry.
“As Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods, our sector is the backbone of the national economy. It is critical that we secure the right conditions to ensure a sustained, long-term recovery. I look forward to working with Garrett to drive our key priorities in economic growth, sustainability, and the development of the next generation of hospitality talent.”
