Call to cut rates for hotels

Excessive local authority rates remain one of the most pressing issues facing hoteliers across the country and must be reduced to help the sector thrive, according to the industry’s representative body.

On the eve of its annual conference, the Irish Hotels Federation said the “stealth tax” imposed on its members needs to be reviewed and called on local authorities to work harder to achieve cost efficiencies.

With operating costs down 24% on average across the industry since 2008, the IHF is calling on the authorities to make a greater contribution to the recovery of the sector by passing cost savings onto its members.