Tourism at ‘Critical Juncture’
CSO numbers for tourism show the industry is at ‘a critical juncture’ and that the sector must be supported in Budget 2026, according to Itic.
The tourism confederation was announcing its annual conference entitled ‘Resilience in an Uncertain World’ which will take place on October 1st in Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.
Hosted and moderated by broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald there will be a strong roster of speakers including tech entrepreneur Mark Little, Minister for Tourism Peter Burke TD, British tv personality Timmy Mallett (who recently completed a cycle across Ireland) hospitality guru Francis Brennan, chair of Fáilte Ireland Ruth Andrews, Dalata ceo Dermot Crowley, Irish Heritage Trust’s Anne O’Donoghue, economist Jim Power and former Ambassador Dan Mulhall.
The conference was launched by ITIC ceo Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, Tourism Ireland ceo Alice Mansergh and AIB’s ceo Colin Hunt who are all speaking at the conference. Director of Fáilte Ireland Deborah Nolan was also in attendance.
CSO numbers for the first seven months of the year point to an 11% decline in inbound visitor numbers and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh said ‘Demand is very mixed and when allied to escalating costs of business, margins are under real pressure. Budget 2026 is vital for the sector and the hospitality VAT rate needs to be restored to 9% as per the Programme for Government.
The case for investment in tourism is indisputable with an enormous return to the exchequer. We need to defend our position in the US market while diversifying into other jurisdictions in these uncertain times. Investing in Brand Ireland is critical if we are to spread demand across other source markets’.
Tickets to ITIC’s conference cost €190 + Vat and a full agenda and details can be found at www.itic.ie/conf25.
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