Hospitality and drinks businesses, including pubs, hotels, off-licences, restaurants, wholesalers, and producers, employ 6,139 people in Longford-Westmeath, generating €84 million in revenue for the local tourism economy.
These businesses also purchase €1.4 million in agricultural outputs and pay out €130.5 million in wages each year.
The figures are part of a new report - ‘Ireland’s Hospitality and Drinks Sector and Your Constituency’ - commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI ) and authored by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley.
The report outlines the importance of the drinks and hospitality sector to the overall national economy and to local economies across the country, particularly in rural Ireland.
However, it also conveys that Ireland’s high alcohol excise tax - the second highest in the EU - is jeopardising the future growth of hospitality and drinks businesses, including those in Longford-Westmeath, as tourists seek more affordable holiday destinations. This is particularly the case for British tourists.
Some 40 per cent of all visitors to Ireland originate from the UK, but a slump in sterling value following the Brexit referendum has already had a significant impact. Between January and March 2017, a total of 55,300 fewer British tourists travelled to Ireland compared to the same period last year.
Commenting, Longford publican John Duignan, proprietor of Tally-Ho Bar in Deanscurragh and DIGI member, said: “The findings of this DIGI report clearly show the huge importance of the drinks and hospitality sector to Longford-Westmeath’s economy. It supports thousands of jobs and generates millions of euros in revenue for local tourism and suppliers.
“However, it’s also clear that the sector is in a precarious position as a result of high levels of excise tax on alcohol and the impact of Brexit.
“Our pub culture is a huge draw for tourists, but with fewer British tourists visiting Ireland due to reduced spending power, our pubs, hotels, restaurants, and off-licences will do less business. We must take action to avoid job losses, and that requires a reduction in excise tax to make Ireland a better value holiday destination.”
