Nolan backs Offaly hoteliers amid calls to protect the county’s 2,200 tourism jobs

Independent TD Carol Nolan has said she is backing Offaly hoteliers and the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) in their call on Government to deliver targeted measures to safeguard the long-term viability of the county’s tourism and hospitality.

Deputy Nolan was speaking Aidan O’Sullivan, IHF Midlands Branch Chair argued that a restoration of the 9% VAT rate for food-related services would be a “vital intervention for a sector that supports over 270,000 livelihoods.”:

“There is no doubting or getting away from the fact that tourism as a pillar industry for our local and national economies has taken a severe hit over the last number of years. In fact, we know from data generated by up AIB’s most recent purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the services sector that sections of our tourism offering have reported a fifth consecutive monthly decline in business levels and at a faster pace, said Deputy Nolan.

“This is a direct result of the ongoing impact of the 13.5% VAT rate and the new levels of uncertainty about its reduction, alongside excessive business costs, which, as the IHF Midlands Branch have made clear are amongst the highest in Europe for insurance premiums and energy charges. It is clear that something has to give.”

“The question Government must ask itself is, does it really want local and national tourism to not just survive but thrive. We need more than the bare minimum approach that we have seen to date.”

“We are talking here about the fact that 270,000 livelihoods are supported by Irish tourism & hospitality across approximately 20,000 tourism and hospitality businesses generating €10.2bn in revenue annually for the economy.”

“It would be an act of national and economic self-harm to endanger this sector, especially at a time when we absolutely need to focus on growing and protecting indigenous sectors with a proven track record of delivery,” concluded Deputy Nolan.