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Ross in Awards row

Transport Sport and Tourism Minister Shane Ross hit out at the "big hotel price-gouging brigade" after remarks he made about the 50pc VAT hike for the tourism sector were met with a cool reception at the ITIC Tourim Awards.

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Mr Ross raised the issue of the VAT increase during a speech at the Iri Awards on Friday, where airline boss Willie Walsh was being honoured for his contribution to the ind

ustry.

Mr Ross praised those present at the event on Friday for using the reduced 9pc VATt rate to the benefit of the industry and jobs.

Mr Ross said: "Your greatest success will be proven when you can - and you will - cope with the VAT increase."

In remarks greeted withsome heckling, he argued the hike was "a vote of confidence in yourselves rather than anything else".

Ryanair €20m. Q3 Loss

Ryanair has reported a €20m loss for the three months to 31 December 2018.

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The loss was driven by a 6pc decline in average fares, according to a trading update from the group.

During the period the low-fares airline also experienced higher fuel, staff and EU261 costs.

However ancillary revenue, that is revenue from non-ticket items such as baggage fees and in-flight sales, grew 26pc during the three months.

Overall revenue was up 9pc to €1.53bn, equating to a revenue increase of 1pc per passenger.

Adare takes Accommodation Award

Adare Manor took the top award for five star hotels at the IASI Accommodation Awards held in Trump Hotel, Doonbeg.

More than 130 entries were received for this year's awards with The Maritime Hotel taking the top prize in the four star hotels category and Shannon Springs Hotel named best of the three star hotels.

Laura Lynn won the Nursing Homes category and St. James in Dublin took the hospitals award/

The winners are pictured with Ines Guerra, president of IASI

Tourism Looks East

Tourism Ireland’s 2019 sales mission to India and the UAE is under way.

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Paul Carty, Guinness Storehouse (right) is pictured meeting with travel agents in Mumbai.

Over the coming days, the companies from Ireland – including hoteliers, visitor attractions and destination management companies – will meet and conclude deals with around 300 tour operators and travel agents in Mumbai, New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The delegation will also meet influential travel journalists and bloggers, highlighting why the island of Ireland is such a wonderful choice for a holiday.

Sligo Park achieves 'Excellence'

The Sligo Park Hotel has become the first venue in Sligo to complete the Fáilte Ireland’s Accredited Services Excellence Programme. The Programme is aimed at helping tourism businesses reach the highest standards in customer care, which can result in major benefits such as business growth, additional repeat business, increased visitor spend and positive recommendations.

Speaking at the presentation of the Accreditation, Eva Costello, Wild Atlantic Way Team Manager at Fáilte Ireland said that the Programme is an important aspect of Fáilte Ireland’s business development and training supports.

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