Paul Gallagher Takes the Helm as Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation

Media Statement / 02 January 2025

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Gallagher as its new Chief Executive. With over four decades in the tourism and hospitality industry, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and senior leadership expertise to the role, positioning the IHF for continued success as the national representative body for over 900 hotels and guesthouses... Read more  

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Hospitality Should Be Moved to an Economic Ministry by Incoming Government

Irish Times / 30 December 2024

Opinion Piece by IHF President Michael Magner - A fundamental change in focus is required to put Irish tourism and hospitality on a more stable footing. One important first step the next government must take is to reposition tourism and hospitality; move it from its current department and situate it within an economic portfolio within a reconfigured Department of Enterprise... Read more  

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Programme for Government Must Prioritise Tourism & Hospitality

Media Statement / 16 December 2024

Tourism and hospitality chiefs call for an immediate change in direction by the next Government to address the enormous challenges facing the industry. With negotiations on the formation of a new Government underway, industry groups are urging all political parties and TDs to ensure that tourism and hospitality is to fore of policy discussions for the programme for Government... Read more  

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Hoteliers call for Urgent Change in Direction to Safeguard Tourism and Hospitality

Media Statement / 12 November 2024

The Irish Hotels Federation calls on all political parties and candidates in the general election to commit to policy measures aimed at staving off the commercial crisis facing the wider tourism and hospitality industry, particularly food service businesses. Launching the Federation's Manifesto for the General Election, IHF President Michael Magner states that an urgent change in direction is now required to ensure the future viability of the industry as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer... Read more  

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Budget 2025 Deepens Commercial Crisis for Hospitality Sector

Media Statement / 01 October 2024

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today expressed deep disappointment with Budget 2025, saying the Government has failed to respond in any meaningful way to the commercial crisis facing hospitality food-led businesses. IHF President Michael Magner says: “The Budget does next to nothing to address the enormous challenges confronting our sector while at the same time imposing further costs on thousands of hospitality businesses”... Read more  

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Irish Hospitality Facing Commercial Crisis, New Report Reveals

Media Statement / 18 September 2024

Tourism and hospitality groups are today urging the Government to stave off a growing commercial crisis within the sector before it is too late. The enormous challenges facing the sector are laid bare in a new economic report examining the root causes of a worrying downsizing among hospitality food businesses throughout the country... Read more  

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Hospitality Businesses Hit Hard by Drop in Sales & Increases in Costs

Media Statement / 22 August 2024

In advance of a meeting with Minister Jack Chambers and Minister Paschal Donohoe next week, tourism and hospitality groups have today reiterated their call on the Government to reinstate the 9% rate of VAT for hospitality food service businesses. These businesses are facing a “perfect storm” as they grapple with an increasingly challenging operating environment due to rising costs, falling food sales and very tight margins... Read more  

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