Hoteliers want big cuts in local rates

Irish hoteliers want the next government — no matter which party is involved — to reduce local government levies that they say is crimping hard-won euro earnings from tourism.

The call comes as the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) meets in Killarney for its annual gathering.

The hoteliers say that, since the crisis, they have cut overheads by significant amounts, but still face large rates bills and other costs levied by local councils.