VAT on the agenda at Tourism Summit

Launching the NIHF Tourism Summit recently are Arlene Foster, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (centre) with Brian Gillan, head of business banking with sponsor, First Trust Bank and Mandy Patrick MBE, president of the NIHF.

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) held its Tourism Summit in Belfast recently with support from First Trust Bank to explore the economic impact of tourism and hospitality in Northern Ireland.

The Federation is the representative body for hotels, guesthouses and guest accommodation providers in Northern Ireland, however, the summit profiled the wider industry and reinforced the need for all those involved within the sector to show leadership.

Mandy Patrick MBE, president of the NIHF, explained the importance of the Tourism Summit for profiling the sector, indicating that the projected growth rate of 15 per cent for the next decade in Northern Ireland was six per cent above the rate for the rest of the UK:

“Whilst we recognise the great potential for our industry to create employment and attract inward investment, we feel that Northern Ireland and the UK are facing economic challenges with one hand tied behind our back,” she told delegates. “Northern Ireland has a VAT rate 11 per cent higher than the Republic of Ireland and we have the fourth highest VAT rate in Europe. This makes Northern Ireland an expensive destination and places us at a competitive disadvantage.”

A number of guest speakers addressed the event, including Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association; Rohit Talwar, global futurist and Pól Ó Conghaile, award-winning travel writer, provided Summit delegates with an insight into ways that tourism can reach its full potential. There was also a panel discussion with representatives from each political party outlining their commitment to the sector post-election.

Guest speaker Pól Ó Conghaile said that throughout his travels, he had gained an insight into practices and policies that had contributed to sustainable development within tourism in different jurisdictions:

“In the UK and Ireland significant opportunities exist for businesses to capitalise upon the natural environment and its outstanding beauty,” he added. “Collectively businesses need to channel their efforts and maximise the opportunities that exist.”