A total of 12 trade associations and 429 individual businesses from the country's hospitality, tourism and events sector have written to the Taoiseach expressing their major concerns about the current response to Covid-19. The letter is co-signed by 216 hotels, 115 pubs and bars, 52 companies from the event sector or that supply the drinks and hospitality sector. It is also signed by 19 alcoholic drinks suppliers, 27 food and non-drinks suppliers and 12 trade associations on behalf of their entire membership.
Businesses on the letter include the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dalata Hotel Group, Daa, Diageo, Irish Distillers, The Chawke Group, Coca-Cola and Ballymaloe House. The letter states that the Government's response is centred on restricting economic activity to a much greater extent than any other country in Europe. This includes full or partial closures of non-food pubs, and much harsher international travel restrictions than the country's European neighbours. Today's letter says that many businesses operating in the experience economy are being constrained disproportionately. It says the current Irish approach risks not just short term, but long-lasting and irreparable damage to the economy and Irish society. The letter also points out that the experience sector contributes €4.5 billion in wages, salaries and employment taxes every year. More than 330,000 people are either employed directly or supported directly by demand from the sector. It urges the Government to look to best practice internationally and to countries that have managed to keep their experience economy sector open while at the same time taking clear and targeted approaches to controlling the spread of the disease in communities. It also calls for a much more targeted set of measures and supports for the sectors most impacted by Covid-19. Comments are closed.
|
Archives
March 2024
|