Ireland VAT stays low to lure Americans
The Irish Government has affirmed its commitment to the travel and tourism sector of its economy by extending a lowered hospitality VAT tax of 9% on hotels, restaurants and attractions until 2013 (Source: TMF Group).
The measure extends to golf fees, cinemas, theaters, sporting events and printed materials like newspapers and magazines.
Kildare’s K Club
Although the lowered rate has been debated, Irish tourism officials had hoped to keep it in place until 2013’s ‘Gathering’ events, a year-long Irish Diaspora ‘homecoming’ designed to bring Irish-Americans and other immigrant groups back to Ireland in time for a new awakening of the Celtic Tiger.
Michael Davern, chief executive and general manager of the Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club in County Kildare, told TravelMole: "All in all it’s been a very strategic and clever policy by our government who recognize continued growth in tourism as being vital to our recovery. It has already assisted in creating growth from North America and in turn has strengthened employment levels in the hotel sector.
by Gretchen Kelly
Gretchen Kelly
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt