Varadkar hints at moves to boost tourism

The Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has hinted that incentives to boost the tourism industry will be announced in next month's Budget.

Mr Varadkar said earlier that the rate of VAT for the sector will not be increased in the Budget, despite the top rate being hiked to 23%.

He said other measures to help the sector will be rolled out on December 6.

Speaking earlier Minister Varadkar said the move will boost the domestic tourism market.

Mr Varadkar said: "Most of the items that are applied at the 21% - the higher rate - are imports.

"It's petrol, foreign clothing by and large, white goods - TVs and so on - so they are largely imports.

"Whereas the lower rate that we have brought in for tourism applies to the domestic economy."