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HOTELIERS WELCOME INCREASE IN HOLIDAY MAKERS & BUSINESS TOURISM

Thursday, 21st March 2013: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomed the significant increase in hotel bednights achieved in 2012 (up 13% on last year). The increase follows a growth in both business trips (up 7.7%) and visits by holidaymakers (up 3.8%) compared with 2011.

Mr Fenn, Chief Executive of the IHF notes that hoteliers have seen increased business particularly in key city destinations such as Dublin, Cork and Galway which have benefited strongly from event and business-related tourism. Growth has also been seen in the East and Midlands regions, the South East and parts of the West coast. However, occupancy levels continue to lag in the Shannon region and the South West.

“The Government’s decision to reduce tourism VAT to 9% has provided a very welcome stimulus for hotels and guesthouses giving Irish accommodation providers the opportunity to provide even greater value to customers,” says Mr Fenn. “The knock on effect has been an increase in room occupancy levels which have improved significantly in 2012 and now stand at 61% compared with 56% in 2011.”

ENDS

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