Inbound tourism lobby group the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has laid out its 5-point plan to aid the industry’s continued recovery in October’s budget.
The Government is scheduled to set out the details of the national budget for 2024 on October 10.
ITIC said the October budget is of “particular importance” to Ireland’s domestic tourism industry, and that its 5 key budget decisions should be taken to support the 20,000 businesses within Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry.
ITIC’s 5-Point Budget Wish List:
1-Retain the 9% Tourism VAT rate and Support Irish Competitiveness
2-Address Capacity Challenges Across Accommodation, Car Hire and Infrastructure
3-Expand and Improve the Business Energy Support Scheme to Mitigate the Cost of Business Rates
4-Invest to Fund Sustainability Initiatives and Support Vulnerable Enterprises
5-Enhance Employment Permits to Improve Labour Supply and Unlock National Training Fund Surplus
In its pre-Budget submission, ITIC said: “Irish tourism is at a key juncture with demand strong but supply significantly compromised and sustainability at the heart of all considerations. Irish tourism is still in recovery phase with full recovery of the sector to pre-pandemic levels not anticipated until 2026.”
“Restoring competitiveness and maintaining investment is vital to enable Ireland’s tourism industry overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth,” it said.
