The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed the new Programme for Partnership Government's pro-tourism measures, citing its commitment to retain the 9 per cent tourism VAT rate, which it says has been beneficial in creating additional employment in the Irish hospitality sector.
The President of the IHF, Joe Dolan, said: "The measures are an acknowledgement of the critical role played by tourism in the country’s ongoing recovery and will ensure tourism remains a major source of employment generation”.
The programme's initiatives has enabled tourism businesses to create an additional 33,000 new jobs throughout the country, with the potential to create a further 40,000 new jobs by 2021, according to the IHF.
Other measures announced include the maintenance of the 0% airport travel tax, additional funding of €10 million for regional airports, and €100 million of capital funding for The Wild Atlantic Way and development of a nationwide greenways network. There will also be the development of an “Ireland's Lakelands” brand to complement The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East.
"The measures announced are very positive for the many thousands of tourism businesses across the country which now support over 205,000 jobs – equivalent to 11% of total employment. The proposed Programme for Partnership Government will ensure tourism lives up to its full potential as an engine for growth and employment." added Dolan.
