Fáilte Ireland has raised concerns that the country is losing out on business tourism potential because of a shortage of city centre hotel accommodation in Dublin.
The Business Tourism Forum has estimated that Ireland’s 295,000 business tourists – worth e447m (£304m) to the economy – could grow to 600,000 visitors, worth e1bn (£680m), as a result of changes in VAT deductibility on accommodation expenses and the soon to be launched National Conference Centre.
The forum aims to promote gala venue operators able to cater for 1,000 or more guests, while encouraging hotel operators to build centrally in preference to the outskirts.
