Kilkenny hoteliers express deep concern over effect of potential €400m increase in VAT

Kilkenny hoteliers have expressed deep concern about the effect of a potential €400m increase in VAT on Irish consumers and overseas visitors.

Following a recent meeting between hoteliers and the wider tourism industry with Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe, IHF South East Branch Chair Colm Neville said that 'increasing consumer taxes is the last thing the country needs given the additional inflationary impact this would have on domestic tourism while also making us less competitive in attracting overseas visitors'.

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"Consumers are already being squeezed by high inflation and soaring interest rates with a real risk they will pull back from spending on tourism and hospitality this year," he continued.

 "If implemented, the proposed 13.5% rate would mean we would have the third highest tourism VAT rate in all of Europe. This impacts everything from the price of a cup of coffee, to the price of a meal out, a stay in a hotel and the cost of a wedding.

"A massive concern for us is the impact that this would have on people’s spending decisions. The reality is that people are much less likely to spend money on discretionary items such as holidays and breaks away at times of financial stress. Our industry is particularly vulnerable and will be first to take the hit."

Mr Neville stated that, as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, this is very worrying for Irish tourism – particularly for regions throughout the country that critically depend on tourism to support livelihoods and the local economy.

“The prospects for 2023 are looking very different to last year. Unlike in 2022, there is no longer any significant pent-up demand or displaced business carried over from during the pandemic. Instead, we are now facing significant economic uncertainty and very worrying headwinds over the coming 12 months given the slowdown in the global economy.

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“We are grappling with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, exceptionally high inflation, soaring interest rates and very poor consumer confidence across all markets. This is at a time when our industry is facing escalating business costs with little room to manoeuvre.”

“The focus of the Government should be on bedding down the recovery over the next 12 months – doing everything possible to safeguard livelihoods and the long-term prospects for our industry. Now is not the time to put tourism recovery at risk by increasing VAT.”