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Hotels may face tax hike

The hotel sector is expected to be singled out by the Government for an increase in the special lower VAT, according to weekend media reports.

The 'Irish Timees' said that the special 9 per cent VAT rate is anticipated to come to a partial end when Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announces his tax and spending package in October.

Under proposals currently being strongly considered by the Government, the full 13.5 per cent rate will only be restored for businesses that sell “accommodation”, such as hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts.

Ireland stars in Quantico

The scenery of Wicklow and historic locations in Dublin are set to wow millions of viewers in the US

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and Canada – in the season finale of the hit ABC drama series Quantico,

Filming for this highly anticipated, final episode of Quantico took place here in April – with actors Priyanka Chopra, Jake McLauglin and Blair Underwood filming on location in a number of our most popular attractions, including Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Glendalough and Powerscourt Estate.

Drogheda is 'Fleadh Ready'

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With over 400,000 people expected to attend this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda, Fáilte Ireland has teamed up with businesses across the town to make sure visitors to the event experience top-quality customer service.

Over 100 representatives from 46 local businesses and businesses in the town have taken part in special Fáilte Ireland workshops, designed to help those on the front line to identify customers’

needs and expectations, increase customer satisfaction, as well as creating a sense of team spirit around the Fleadh Cheoil.

ITIC seeks more tourism funds

The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation has called for an annual allocation of €164 million to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in its pre-budget submission to the government. This represents a rise of €50 million from the €114 million allocated to the agencies in 2018.

ITIC highlighted the fact that the agencies were allocated €153 million a decade ago and said that some of the extra money could be put towards establishing a Brexit “market diversification fund” for exposed tourism businesses.

ITIC estimates that a worst-case “no-deal” Brexit could cost the Irish tourism industry as much as €260 million in 2019.

Restaurant for Open Brewery

Having opened its experimental brewery to the public for the first time nearly three years ago, Guinness is now planning to expand the Dublin-based facility to offer foodl.

The Open Gate Brewery, which allows beer enthusiasts to try beers that aren’t yet commercially available, has been open to the general public from Thursdays to Saturdays since late 2015. While the brewery has occasionally served food with its pints, Guinness owner Diageo is now planning to significantly expand on this with a proper food service.