Irish Hotels Federation Press Release
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Wednesday,
3rd December 2003
IRISH HOTELS FEDERATION WELCOMES BUDGET 2004 The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) representing more than 1,000 hotels and guesthouses nationwide today welcomed the overall thrust of Budget 2004, which confirms the Government's determination to keep inflation low and improve Ireland's competitiveness. The Government's commitment to regional development is also welcome and will boost the activity in many regional areas. In addition, the IHF particularly welcomes the Minister for Finance's extension of the Hotel Capital Allowance Scheme until 31 July 2006, which will relieve pressure on current construction timeframes and provide an orderly delivery of additional hotel capacity. According to John Power, Chief Executive, the IHF is pleased with the Government's resolve to secure competitiveness. He stated that competitiveness poses a great challenge, but it is heartening to see that the hotel and guesthouse sector is making strides in this area as the last CSO figures revealed that accommodation services, including holiday packages in hotels and guesthouses, had a rate of annual inflation of 0.4% which is less than 1/5 of the rate of national inflation. "We also acknowledge the decentralisation of the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism to Killarney, this move recognises that the South West is one of the key tourism regions in Ireland and the relocation of the Department to this area should provide a positive catalyst for tourism rejuvenation in the entire region," says John Power. "Fáilte Ireland's transfer to Mallow is an acknowledgement that the tourist industry impacts on all areas of the country. We would hope that these moves are carried out in an orderly and seamless manner," says John Power. FOR INFORMATION: |