JacTravel claims tourism to Ireland is outstripping the UK due to relaxed tourist visas and reduced taxation.
The UK-based wholesaler, offering hotels and inbound travel services online, says since 2009 business to Ireland has doubled – increasing by 223% – while UK business has only grown 111%.
It argues that a downward trend in Irish bookings in 2010 is countered by growth the following year, which coincides with pro-tourism measures introduced at the start of 2011.
The wholesaler says this is when the Irish government began to accept visitors with UK tourist visas and slashed the rates of Air Passenger Duty, from €10 in 2010 to €3 in 2011, and VAT applicable to tourism from 21% in 2010 to 9% in 2011.
JacTravel’s chief executive officer, Terry Williamson, said: "There’s no doubt in my mind that the desirability of Ireland as a destination has been enhanced by the pro-tourism measures taken by the Irish government, which evidently understands the value of tourism as a great way to earn foreign currency.
"Belfast (which is in Northern Ireland) has been an accidental beneficiary of this initiative because although it has not reduced taxes, it has profited from the increase in visitors to Ireland as a whole.
"If Westminster were to follow Dublin’s example, our industry would be hailed for being at the heart of an export led recovery."
JacTravel sells to the travel industry through traditional channels and via XML, making bookings for independent travellers and groups.
