“The cost of doing business has simply gone through the roof” says local hotelier

The Irish Hotels Federation says tourism operators can’t wait for the VAT rate to be cut to 9% in the upcoming Budget.

It comes as tourism numbers fell by 10% last month according to the CSO – however hoteliers locally say occupancy hasn’t dropped and instead appears flat so far this year.

Yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank warned against cutting the VAT rate – as promised by the government – as it’s a vulnerable source of revenue for the state.

But General Manager of the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel Colin Ahern says it’s a difficult time for those in small businesses, in particular those offering food;