irish tourism and the eu - irish hotels federation eu policy doc 2014.pdf · irish tourism and the...
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Irish Tourism and the EU
POLICY PRIORITIES FOR GROWTH AND JOB CREATION
“A flourishing tourism industry is vital for the economic wellbeing of Ireland and the wider European Union. The Irish Hotels Federation calls on all candidates to ensure tourism is at the heart of the EU’s economic policy.”
2014 European Parliament Elections
On these and other issues, the Irish Hotels Federation is available to you as a resource for information and views during the European Parliament election. Please contact the IHF on (01) 497 6459 or [email protected]. Further information is also available on www.ihf.ie Thank you for reading this material and we wish you success in your campaign.
Supporting tourism at EU level The tourism industry is vital for the economic wellbeing of Ireland and the wider European Union – contributing to growth and employment. In Ireland, tourism employs 196,000 people throughout every town, village and county – equivalent to 11 per cent of total employment in the country. Each year, tourism provides revenues of over €5.7 billion for the national economy and accounts for 4% of GNP.
With over 23,000 additional jobs created by the hospitality sector since 2011, tourism is one of the few industries that keeps creating thousands of new jobs, especially for young people. It is therefore of the utmost importance that Irish MEPs do everything in their power to ensure the sector is taken into account by European Institutions when shaping EU policies and legislation.
The 8 EU priorities of the Irish tourism sector The Irish Hotels Federation calls on all political parties and candidates in the 2014 European Parliament elections to put tourism at the centre of European economic policy by supporting the following tourism priorities at EU level:
• VAT Rates: Maintain reduced rates for tourism Reduced VAT rates, such as Ireland’s 9% tourism VAT
rate, allow Europe to be competitive as a tourism destination. Member States should continue to have the option to apply reduced VAT rates to tourism services.
• Social Affairs: Do not undermine job creation It is necessary to avoid new EU employment legislation that would damage the industry’s excellent record in increasing jobs, especially for young people. Flexibility of working time arrangements is crucial for maintenance of service levels within the hospitality industry.
• Online Distribution Channels: Ensure fair competition Unfair ‘best price guarantees’ demanded by dominant
Online Travel Agents (OTAs) result in hoteliers losing control over their prices and businesses. The dominant position of OTAs needs to be reversed.
• Package Travel: Do not impair hotel bookings The legal regime applicable to hotel bookings covered
by a new package travel Directive should not be less favourable than the existing framework. More jobs could be created, without decreasing consumer protection, if the new Directive applies only when there is a travel/transport element.
• Food in Hotels and Restaurants: Ensure the use of fresh food is still possible
The recently adopted Food Information Regulation will make it harder for restaurants to use fresh food. Any future EU legislation should not result in an effective ban on the use of fresh food.
• Private Accommodation: Level playing field for all participants in tourism businesses
An increasing number of private apartments and homes are being rented as tourism accommodation, especially through online distribution channels without always having to abide by the regulations that apply to the hospitality sector. This constitutes a threat to consumer protection and to jobs in the hotels and guesthouse sector.
• Flexibility: Consider the burdens on SMEs In order to be efficient, any future legislation should
stay as much as possible at national level. Flexibility and reasonable requirements are the key drivers for success.
• Data Protection: No extra burdens for SMEs Future Regulation should not impose new obligations on
the industry, especially the requirement to appoint a Data Protection Officer.
Irish Tourism – key facts
• 196,000 jobs in Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sector – supporting one in every nine jobs in Ireland today.
• Over 23,000 additional jobs created by hospitality sector since 2011.
• Potential to create over 60,000 additional jobs by 2020.
• Total tourism revenue for 2013 (overseas plus domestic) stood at €5.7 billion.
• Potential to generate €540 million in additional annual revenues for the economy by 2020.
• Tourism accounted for 4% of GNP in 2013.