14.10.2014

HOTELIERS WELCOME RETENTION OF 9% TOURISM VAT RATE

Pro-tourism Budget Measures will Support Creation of Thousands of New Jobs

 

14th October 2014: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) welcomes the retention of the 9% tourism VAT rate announced by Minister Noonan today as part of Budget 2015. Stephen McNally, President of the IHF hailed the measure as one of the most successful job creation initiatives in modern times – supporting the creation of more than 33,000 new jobs since it was introduced in 2011.

 

“Today’s budget is very positive for the many thousands of tourism businesses throughout the country and is an important recognition of the potential of Irish tourism to continue delivering much-needed jobs growth,” says Mr McNally.

 

“Thanks to a number of pro-tourism initiatives, the industry is on course to create a further 40,000 jobs by the end of the decade,” says Mr McNally. “The 9% VAT rate, in particular, is of enormous importance to the industry, helping to level the playing field for tourism businesses when competing with international destinations for visitors. This will continue to have benefits for the local economy, particularly in rural regions.”

 

According to recent industry research carried by the IHF, the overwhelming majority (98%) of hotels and guesthouses say the 9% tourism VAT rate is having a positive impact on their business, enabling almost three quarters (73%) to hire additional new staff over the past 12 months alone. Tourism as a whole now supports some 200,000 jobs - equivalent to one in every nine jobs in the country.

 

Mr McNally welcomed the Government’s commitment to capital investment in projects such as the Dubline Heritage Trail, the Kilkenny Medieval Mile and Killarney House. He also welcomed the commitment to progress work on the Wild Atlantic Way, the new South and East branding proposition and the Grow Dublin Alliance – initiatives which will give holidaymakers new and compelling reasons to visit Ireland.
 
 

Mr McNally acknowledged the important support provided by Ministers Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin and by tourism Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Michael Ring in ensuring tourism remains at the heart of the Government’s economic policy and in recognising the valuable role played by tourism in growing the Irish economy and generating increased employment.

 

Tourism’s economic contribution

The tourism industry as a whole now supports almost 200,000 jobs - equivalent to 11% of total employment in the country, some 54,000 of which are in the hotels sector across 812 hotels and 235 guesthouses. Total revenue generated across all tourism-related businesses annually stands at approximately €6 billion and accounts for 4% GNP.

 

ENDS

 

FOR INFORMATION:

Weber Shandwick                                           Dublin office: 01 6798600

Eoin Quinn/Siobhan Molloy                         Mobile: 087 233 2191 / 086 817 50 66 

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