(TAN): Tourism Ireland has welcomed the measures outlined in the country’s Budget 2021 for the survival and recovery of the Irish tourism sector.
Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said, “Covid-19 delivered an immediate and devastating impact on tourism and hospitality this year. Since the middle of March, we have had virtually no international visitors.”
“We therefore welcome the government’s and Minister Catherine Martin’s recognition of the extremely serious challenges facing our industry right now,” Gibbons said. “The measures for Irish tourism businesses outlined in Budget 2021 are an important first step on the road to recovery for Irish tourism – including the reduction of the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% and a fund of EUR 55 million (USD 64.7 million) to support tourism businesses in response to Covid-19”
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“We welcome the decision to maintain the level of investment in the tourism marketing fund, which will be important for the restoration of overseas tourism, when the time is right. We also welcome the approval of a new ‘traffic light’ system for travel by the EU, which is an important step on the road to re-starting overseas travel,” the CEO said.
