Tourism chiefs claim air travel tax will cost jobs

TOURISM leaders have hit out at the new air travel tax, which they claim will cost jobs in hotels, airports, airlines and other sectors of the industry against a background of falling visitor numbers.

In particular, they have expressed serious concern the €10 tax will have a detrimental impact on the viability of Shannon Airport and tourist-related businesses in the west of Ireland.

Tourism bosses claimed the levy, combined with other taxation increases announced in yesterday’s budget, would make Ireland less attractive as a tourist destination.