Westmeath hoteliers have welcomed the new 9 per cent reduced VAT rate for tourism related goods and services including hotel accommodation, which came into force as of Friday July 1. Joe O’Brien, chairman of the Midlands branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF ), stated that the hotel sector is fully behind the initiative and that the IHF is calling on all its members to pass on the benefit of the reduction in full to customers.
Welcoming the Government’s recognition that tourism could act as a significant driver of growth and job creation in the economy, Mr O’Brien stated that the VAT cut will improve cost competitiveness and help tourism businesses in Westmeath provide even better value to visitors:
“It is very important that all businesses within the tourism sector pass on the reduction in VAT to customers and make it very transparent that they are doing so. We believe the initiative will provide a much needed boost in trade with knock on effects in terms of job creation within the local tourism industry.”
