Kildare Hoteliers 'Deeply Concerned' At Prospect Of €400M VAT Increase

Tuesday, 14 February 2023 16:23

By Caoimhe Harney

The increase is currently under consideration by the Government

Kildare hoteliers today expressed deep concern about the effect of a potential €400m increase in VAT on Irish consumers and overseas visitors.

The increase is currently under consideration by the Government at a time when consumers, both at home and abroad, are under significant financial pressure in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

Following a recent meeting between hoteliers and the wider tourism industry with Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe, Irish Hotels Federation Midlands Branch Chair Barry Kennedy commented: “We are urging the Government to retain tourism VAT rate at its current rate. Increasing consumer taxes is the last thing the country needs given the additional inflationary impact this would have on domestic tourism while also making us less competitive in attracting overseas visitors.

"Consumers are already being squeezed by high inflation and soaring interest rates with a real risk they will pull back from spending on tourism and hospitality this year.”

“If implemented, the proposed 13.5% rate would mean we would have the third highest VAT rate in all of Europe.

"This affects everything from the price of a cup of coffee, to the price of a meal out, a stay in a hotel and the cost of a wedding. A massive concern for us is the impact that this would have on people’s spending decisions.

"The reality is that people are much less likely to spend money on discretionary items such as holidays and breaks away at times of financial stress. Our industry is particularly vulnerable and will be first to take the hit.

“The focus of the Government should be on bedding down the recovery over the next 12 months – doing everything possible to safeguard livelihoods and the long-term prospects for our industry.

"Now is not the time to put tourism recovery at risk by increasing VAT," he added.