Kildare hotels say they need help to tackle costs
The sector supports 12,700 livelihoods in Kildare
Hoteliers are asking the government to intervene to tackle what they say is the high cost of doing business.
A campaign seeking support for the tourism and hospitality sector in Ireland is being coordinated by the Irish Hotels Federation.
Hoteliers from across the country recently met with TDs and senators to discuss the key challenges facing Irish tourism and the measures required to ensure the successful long-term development of what they describe as Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.
They say the sector supports over 270,000 livelihoods – including 12,700 in Kildare.
According to the IHF a key concern for hotels and guesthouses across Kildare in the run up to Budget 2027 is the exceptionally high operating costs that tourism and hospitality businesses are grappling with.
They argue that this puts Ireland's competitiveness as a tourism destination at risk and “this is being driven to a large extent by successive public policies which have significantly increased operating costs.”
Aidan O’Sullivan, chair of the Midlands Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation said: “Tourism and hospitality businesses are struggling to deal with unsustainable operating costs that are putting enormous pressure on margins.
“This is a serious challenge for our sector, including the local tourism economy here in Kildare.
“It is essential that Budget 2027 delivers targeted measures as part of efforts to offset some of these Government-controlled costs and enhance the cost competitiveness and viability of our sector.”
Outlining the key policy priorities for the industry, Mr O’Sullivan stressed the importance of decisive action in the upcoming Budget.
He said a key priority should be a meaningful reduction in Employers’ PRSI for labour-intensive hospitality businesses as well as measures to tackle excessive business costs, including energy network charges.
The IHF also wants support for the development of hotel staff accommodation, enhanced resources for hotel sustainability initiatives and increased funding for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to deliver tourism growth.
It is also calling for additional investment in training and skills, leveraging untapped surpluses in the National Training Fund along with measures to support increased hotel capacity.
“Having these measures in place would go a long way towards ensuring the long-term success of Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry, including local businesses throughout Kildare.”
The IHF says as Ireland’s largest indigenous employer, a vibrant and thriving tourism and hospitality industry is vital for the country’s economic well-being.
The IHF says some 69,000 people are directly employed by Irish hotels and guesthouses and some some 70% of tourism and hospitality jobs are outside of Dublin.
An estimated €10bn in revenue is generated by tourism annually for the economy and over €2.9bn in taxes is generated annually for the state by tourism-related activity.
Founded in 1937, the Irish Hotels Federation is the national organisation of the hotel and guesthouse sector in Ireland. It represents over 900 hotels and guesthouses nationwide, employing over 69,000 people and is a key stakeholder in the Irish tourism industry