Hoteliers: Local authority rates 'crippling' industry

Local authority rates imposed on hotels and guesthouses are "crippling" the industry, the newly elected President of the Irish Hotels Federation, Paul Gallagher told delegates at its AGM today.

According to a survey of IHF members, the issue of local authority rates is the most pressing affecting the viability of hotels and guesthouses, with 87% of respondents indicating that rates are having a significant negative impact on their businesses.