‘VAT increase is the last thing we need!’

< DAN DOONER

The Chair of the Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim branch of the Irish Hotels Federation has said a potential VAT increase is the last thing the sector needs during a cost of living crisis.

across the country, as we look to continue to grow the Aldi team.

“Our wider commercial plan in Ireland will see us continue to expand and develop our store network. We have plans to open six new stores this year, the first of which will be opening shortly in Adamstown. This store will represent the first store opening in Dublin since we announced our ambitious €73 million investment plans for the capital, which will see us build and open 11 new Aldi stores over the coming five years”.

Michael Yates, who is also General Manager at the Diamond Coast Hotel in Sligo, expressed deep concern about the impact the proposed VAT increase would have on an industry still recovering from the pandemic.

“With many of our key tourism markets experiencing a cost-of-living-crisis, the last thing the Government should be contemplating is an increase in consumer taxes such as tourism VAT,” he said.

“Consumers in Ireland and across our overseas markets are already being squeezed by exceptionally high levels of inflation and other pressures on their finances, which means there is a very real risk that many will pull back from spending on discretionary items such as holidays and breaks away”.

Mr Yates said any increase from 9 per cent would have a huge impact on inflation while damaging Ireland’s competiveness as a tourist destination.

“Now is not the time to jeopardise the recovery by increasing tourism VAT. The focus of the Government should instead be on safeguarding tourism livelihoods and securing the long-term sustainable recovery of our industry,” he added.

According to recent research by the IHF, despite an uplift in tourism during the second half of 2022, hotel room occupancy remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Looking ahead to the year ahead, many hotels and guesthouses have reported reduced levels of forward bookings compared to the same period in 2019.

57 per cent reported reduced bookings from Great Britain, 37 per cent said there was so far a downturn in visitors from the rest of Europe, and 41 per cent highlighted fewer bookings from the US.

Of particular concern among hoteliers is the bleak economic outlook for the UK, which has traditionally been the largest source of overseas visitors.

This week, Cathal Meares of RE/ MAX Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a prime roadside residential farm of 42 acres, located at Granaghan, Stroketown, Co. Roscommon.

Comprised in folios RN8644, RN53, and RN15435, these were prime roadside farmlands, located just off the R371 Lanesboro to Strokestown route and offering a quality residential farm in one holding.

Standing on the farm are two storage sheds with a concrete yard, holding a cattle pen and cattle crush servicing. Upon entering the lands, there is a four-bedroomed residence in need of modernisation.

The BER rating for this property is F, with the location and potential making this a very attractive property to come to market. Services on land include a well and mains water and ESB.

RE/MAX Team Earley are currently looking for similar farms in all areas for cash buyers. For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt Roscommon on 090-6626579, email teamearley@ remax.ie, or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 086-3519492 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.