Thursday 5th April 2007

Contract for National Conference Centre
Welcomed by IHF

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed, as a significant development for business tourism, the announcement that the contract for the provision of a National Conference Centre has been awarded to Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin. According to IHF estimates, the facility which is expected to be operational by 2010, will bring an additional €50 million in tourism revenue annually to the Irish economy and help Ireland attract a greater share of the €40 billion global conference market.

Annette Devine, President, IHF, noted that the recent Budget 2007 measure to allow VAT refunds on hotel costs for conference visitors also puts Ireland on a more even playing field with other EU countries when competing in the business tourism market. Ms Devine stated, “To fully exploit the long lead in times for conference bookings, a coordinated and well-funded promotion of the facility involving Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Dublin Convention Bureau and the hotel and tourism industry needs to be now rolled out.”

The commitment of John O’Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism since he took up office to prioritise the provision of this vital piece of national tourism infrastructure was strongly acknowledged by the IHF.

ENDS

FOR INFORMATION:

Siobhan Molloy/Eoin Quinn Tel: 01 6760168
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