The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has urged the Government to restore the 9% VAT rate for the inbound/domestic tourism and hospitality sector, saying the upcoming Budget must include measures aimed at supporting the industry, following a challenging year.
Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC, commented: “Budget 2025 is very important to the tourism industry and the easiest, most effective and sector-specific way Government can support the industry is a restoration of the 9% VAT rate”.
Addressing ITIC’s 2024 annual conference in Dublin, Mr O’Mara-Walsh also pointed to the need for increased investment, saying the spending reverses in last year’s budget “must be rectified”.
ITIC has said that mitigation measures are urgently needed to ensure the competitiveness of the sector.
At the conference Catherine Flanagan, CEO of the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA) said: “We don’t yet know the implications of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. It is very concerning when we hear that airlines requesting slots for next year are being declined.”
Hotelier Elaina Fitzgerald Kane said: “We’re on the back foot – that’s my firm opinion – and we have a lot of work to do but I believe there is great ambition within our sector but that has to be matched by Government”.
The conference marked 40 years of ITIC and was attended by over 400 tourism and hospitality industry leaders.
