IDA delegation in Davos paid out €1k a night
New figures released in response to a freedom of information request show that the cost of accommodating the four-strong IDA group totalled €5,663 over five nights. Accommodation prices in Davos in Switzerland itself were too costly and the four IDA delegates retreated to the nearby Klosters where they rented an apartment.
The cost to the IDA of attending Davos was €18,780 including a payment of €10,517 to Hotel Grischa where the IDA staged an event where Taoiseach, Enda Kenny also participated.
In the five-day visit, Mr Shanahan was accompanied by executive director, Dermot Clohessy and two other staff members from the CEO’s office. A statement from the IDA’s freedom of information unit accompanying the figures says “the high-profile nature of the event at Davos translates into high demand and increased prices in and around Davos.
It adds: “Given the prohibitive nature of accommodation prices in particular in Davos, the IDA delegation secured an apartment rental in Klosters 30 minutes from Davos and travelled via train to Davos.
The unit states: “The accommodation rate was negotiated on a commercial basis and relative to hotel room costs for the period, represents better value for money.”
It states that 40 delegates attended the IDA event at Davos and the companies represented by the senior delegates employ around 24,000 in Ireland and 2.5m globally. It stated: “IDA Ireland is actively following up on discussions in relation to potential employment and investment projects with some of the companies represented at the event.”
An IDA spokesman said yesterday: “Davos provides an excellent platform for IDA Ireland to attract further investment to Ireland. Our competitor agencies across the world also attend the event. Participation at Davos increases Ireland’s profile internationally and places the country on a world stage.”
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