HOTELIERS WELCOME GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SECTOR

Part of Tourism Business Continuity Scheme

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed the funding support for the registered tourist accommodation sector including hotels and guesthouses, that was announced today by Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. IHF CEO Tim Fenn said that the sector looked forward to receiving details of the financial support, which is being made available under the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, when they are available in early August.

Mr Fenn added: “The tourism and hospitality industry has been significantly impacted by government restrictions around the pandemic. The domestic market was very important last year and will be again this year. However, it does not replace international visitor numbers. As an island nation international tourism is critically important, accounting for over 70% of tourism revenue pre-COVID.”

“Government supports to date have been very welcome and have been a lifeline to many businesses in terms of sustaining employment and their wider communities. International tourism will recover, but it will take time. In the meantime, additional supports are vital to enable businesses particularly those reliant on overseas visitors to plan for their recovery, especially as they face into the traditional off peak tourist season,” he said.

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