Hotels seek 30% cut in local rates

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is looking for a 30% cut in local authority rates for its members and has called on the Government to cut water and energy costs.

The IHF claims that the average local authority rate works out at €1,500 per bedroom, regardless of occupancy rate.

“The hotels sector stabilised in 2013, largely as a result of the relentless work of hotels and guesthouses to slash costs where there was any level of flexibility. We have brought costs down by a massive 24% since 2008. Hotels are now much leaner, having restructured their business models throughout the downturn, improved their products and lowered prices.