Rates hike 'excessive' say hoteliers
The decision by Dublin City Council to increase commercial rates by almost 3 percent has been criticised by hoteliers as excessive and ill-advised. The Irish Hotels Federation
says that hoteliers in Dublin and across the country are already facing significant challenges to sustain the growth in tourism of recent years, with a softening in visitor numbers from key markets and increasing concerns around reduced competitiveness.

Michael Lennon, President, IHF, said, “We’re willing to pay a fair and reasonable rate but not excessive and disproportionate levies. Over 75% of overseas tourists visit Dublin, making it a vital tourism gateway, and a significant contributor to an industry that accounted for €9.42 billion in revenue in 2018. This increase will further reduce competitiveness at a time when tourism is already facing significant challenges due to increases in the cost doing business and the hike in tourism VAT. This was highlighted in the latest Crowe Ireland Annual Hotel Survey[i] which showed that many costs are increasing faster than the underlying growth in revenues.”