A chara, – Many people work in tourism on this island; some are employed by hotels, and many more work in other tourist services.
Hotels do tend to drive the agenda for our tourist sector. They have money, they are organised and are often part of large chains. They are also highly conspicuous.
However, you have only to look at the Tourism Ireland adverts to see that what attracts visitors is something other than hotels. Hotels are businesses and are not required to see a bigger picture than what presents as commercial opportunity.
As we recover from recession we are experiencing a weakened currency and this should drive domestic and overseas demand, in the short term.
In the larger picture, tourism is a great opportunity for Ireland. I learned recently that four times as many people are employed in the scotch whisky tourism industry as are employed in its manufacture.
We have an opportunity to build a lead in this sector which brings money in from abroad, is a healthy employer and is excellent for our balance of payments.
If the Government would like to realise that potential then some creativity rather than a flat-rate increase in VAT should be considered. There are many models abroad for us to consider but we should narrate our own story with the wit and flair for which we are sometimes renowned. – Is mise,
TOM O’RAHILLY,
National Leprechaun
Museum,
Jervis Street, Dublin 1.