Tourism industries are grappling with some uncertainty
THE TOURISM and hotel industries will remain ‘in limbo’ with uncertainty following Britain’s decision to leave the EU.
‘It’s very early to say what will happen at the moment, to define what type of effect it’s going to have on the tourism industry’ said a spokesman for Wicklow Tourism.
He said that the UK is Ireland’s largest source of tourism visitors.
‘In terms of travel it’s very early to decide,’ he said, however the effect of decreasing Sterling is immediately visible. ‘I was in the Woodenbridge the other day and they had British visitors staying overnight. By the time they checked out, their price had increased overnight.’
He said that all we can do is brace and see what’s going to happen. ‘Hopefully the effect will be manageable.’
He said that there is some anger out there as Ireland has been recovering well.
Brian McNamara, Chairman of the Wicklow branch of the Irish Hotels Federation and general manager of the Glenview Hotel, said that their future bookings from the UK remain very strong for the next number of months.
While the exchange rate has been affected, he noted a small recovery in the pound yesterday, but he added that it’s still too early to say what the long-term consequences of Brexit might be.
‘We don’t know what the arrangements will be between ourselves and the UK,’ said Mr McNamara. ‘ There is so much uncertainty.’
That is likely to remain the case, he said, until further decisions are made in the United Kingdom, including a possible snap election. ‘Until there is a new Government in play we’re in limbo really.’ Mr McNamara said that it is vital that the Irish Government maintain a 9 per cent VAT rate for tourism.
(Mary Fogarty)