Hoteliers concerned stimulus package does not go far enough

Hoteliers have expressed concerns that the stimulus package announced by the Government does not go far enough to support Irish tourism and safeguard the livelihoods of the 270,000 employed by the industry throughout the country.

IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane “While measures to stimulate consumer demand are welcome, we have serious doubts about how effective the ‘Stay and Spend’ tax credit scheme will be in stimulating consumer demand. It seems overly cumbersome and convoluted, and we are urgently seeking further clarification from the Government on how the measure will operate.”

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“We are disappointed that the Government failed to deliver a reduction in tourism VAT. This is a missed opportunity given how highly effective the previous reduced VAT rate was in promoting increased employment. We will be engaging further with the Government on this and other measures as part of the October National Economic Plan.” 

Ms Fitzgerald Kane acknowledged the measures announced to address liquidity and investment as vital for the survival of many tourism businesses. “However, these do not go far enough to secure the long-term stability of the industry.”

Commenting on the Employment Wage Support Scheme, she said: “The new wage support scheme is welcome and will help hospitality businesses to keep their teams together until tourism and the overseas market recovers. The inclusion of seasonal workers and new hires is especially important.  

Other measures such as the rates waiver and reopening grants could give businesses much needed breathing space as they work to stabilise their businesses for the future and we look forward to seeing the details there,” she added. “There is a concern that the rates waiver does not going far enough and we hope that this is addressed as part of the national economic plan in line with what is being done in the UK.”

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