Irish hoteliers slam proposed tourism vat rate hike

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has expressed deep concern at reports that the tourism VAT rate is to be increased as part of Budget 2019.

Michael Lennon, President of the IHF said the mooted increase to 13.5% would be disastrous for Ireland’s competitiveness as a tourism destination and represented a failure to recognise its economic potential and recovery, particularly among regional and rural tourism businesses.