Wednesday, 5th December 2012
BUDGET REACTION FROM IRISH HOTELS FEDERATION
- Significant boost provided to date by the 9% tourism VAT rate
- Greater certainty needed around retention of tourism VAT rate into 2014
- Hoteliers welcome broad retention of current levels of tourism marketing funding
Acknowledging the significant boost provided to date by the 9% tourism VAT rate, Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) welcomed the Government’s confirmation that the reduced rate will continue into 2013. He noted that the measure had received an overwhelmingly positive response among hotels and guesthouses with over nine out of ten (93%) in a survey earlier this year saying retention of the measure would continue to have a positive impact on business into 2013.
However, noting that international tour operators book some 18 months in advance, Mr Fenn urged Minister Noonan to go further by removing any uncertainty around the tourism VAT rate’s retention into 2014 so that it doesn’t become a barrier to securing sustained growth in visitor numbers.
In light of the severe pressure on Government spending, Mr Fenn welcomed the decision by the Government to limit cuts to the Tourism Services allocation to only 2% which would result in current levels of marketing and product development funding for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland being broadly maintained in support of The Gathering in 2013.
ENDS
FOR INFORMATION:
Eoin Quinn/ Orla Molloy Dublin office: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick Mobile: 087 233 2191 / 087 770 5108