The Irish Government has affirmed its commitment to the travel and tourism sector of its economy by extending a lowered hospitality VAT tax of 9% on hotels, restaurants and attractions until 2013 (Source: TMF Group).
The measure extends to golf fees, cinemas, theaters, sporting events and printed materials like newspapers and magazines.
Kildare’s K Club
Although the lowered rate has been debated, Irish tourism officials had hoped to keep it in place until 2013’s ‘Gathering’ events, a year-long Irish Diaspora ‘homecoming’ designed to bring Irish-Americans and other immigrant groups back to Ireland in time for a new awakening of the Celtic Tiger.
Michael Davern, chief executive and general manager of the Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club in County Kildare, told TravelMole: "All in all it’s been a very strategic and clever policy by our government who recognize continued growth in tourism as being vital to our recovery. It has already assisted in creating growth from North America and in turn has strengthened employment levels in the hotel sector.
by Gretchen Kelly
