The chief executive of Fáilte Ireland believes that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a significant long-term threat to the growth of the tourism industry in Ireland. Paul Kelly emphasized the need for regional airports to expand rapidly to offset the potential loss in growth caused by the cap at Dublin Airport. He stressed the importance of lifting the cap to prevent flights from moving to airports outside of Ireland.
Kelly also addressed concerns about carbon emissions and noise pollution, highlighting the necessity of air travel for the country’s connectivity. He discussed the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality sector, including rising costs and the impact of employing minimum wage workers.
Regarding the use of hotels for Ukrainian refugees, Kelly acknowledged the impact on tourism but noted a decrease in the percentage of beds allocated to refugees. He emphasized the need for a balance to ensure the sustainability of the tourism economy.
In conclusion, Kelly expressed the industry’s desire for a reduction in the VAT rate for tourism and highlighted the importance of investing in and supporting the sector.