Wednesday, May 18th 2022
Industry body’s monthly dashboard (April 2022) of tourism industry performance in association with AIB
– April data shows total arrivals down 21% and year-to-date down 35% compared to 2019 –
– 140,000 North American visitors came to Ireland in April while Continental European market was strongest performer –
– ITIC revised growth scenario estimate recovery in inbound tourism of 67% this year compared to peak –
– Inflation 4 times higher than same month in 2019 and ITIC warn “Competitiveness is critical to the success of Ireland’s tourism industry” –
Wednesday, April 27th 2022
Industry body forecasts improved recovery of tourism for 2022
– Projections this year now show 67% recovery to 2019 levels, up from 60% –
– ITIC predict full recovery won’t be achieved until 2026 –
– Flagship conference sees tourism sustainability report launched in association with AIB – 26 key policy recommendations –
– Cost inflation, labour shortages and Ukraine war all pose a challenge as ITIC warn that “Government must stay the course in supporting tourism recovery” –
Wednesday, December 29th 2021
ITIC Year End Review of 2021 and Outlook for 2022
– €12.2 billion lost to Irish tourism and hospitality industry due to Covid-19 –
– Industry body (ITIC) calls for long-term sector-specific plan to support country’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer –
– 60% recovery in inbound tourism possible in 2022 but travel restrictions must be lifted to avoid a “third doomed summer” –
Monday, September 6th 2021
Tourism industry representative group launches “From Survival to Revival” report and outlines budget submission.
– ITIC estimate cost of Covid-19 at being €13.4 billion to tourism industry –
– Budget is “make or break” for industry with 5 key asks including extension of EWSS, certainty on the 9% Vat rate, and a doubling of tourism investment –
– ITIC outline 3 growth scenarios with best case showing full recovery by 2025 –
Tuesday, June 29th 2021
ITIC warn 3,800 tourism & hospitality businesses closed and uncertain of trading again
– “Ill-thought through and flawed” decision to continue closure of indoor hospitality undermines reopening of international travel on July 19th –
– Staycation stimulus needed to extend short domestic season & financial supports for beleaguered sector needed until Q1 2021 –
Friday, April 30th 2021
ITIC welcomes moves to open the domestic tourism economy
– Criticism of Government for lack of clarity in relation to inbound tourism and aviation –
– Stay & Spend Scheme “needs to be overhauled and redesigned as a workable staycation voucher for the benefit of industry and the public”. –
– Serious concern that a plan hadn’t been published by Government as to how and when aviation can recommence –
Wednesday, March 31st 2021
Cautious welcome from tourism industry but alarm about quarantine extension
– Tourism industry alarmed about proposed extension of quarantine regime to include the US, France, Germany and Italy –
– Industry disproportionately economically impacted by Covid with revenue down 90% and 160,000 job losses will require financial supports for rest of 2021 –
Wednesday, February 24th 2021
ITIC view of Government’s new Path Ahead Covid plan
– ITIC disappointed that within the Government’s new ‘Path Ahead’ Covid plan there was not more clarity as to a reopening timetable for its members –
– Many tourism businesses “teetering on the brink” –
– Increased Government intervention and support would be needed during this extended period of enforced closure –
Wednesday, February 10th 2021
Tourism Roadmap for Recovery published at virtual conference attended by Minister Catherine Martin, Professor Luke O’Neill, and industry stakeholders
– Willie Walsh urges Government to “work with us, we are part of the solution” as he shares his views exclusively to ITIC –
– Financial supports for tourism industry must continue throughout 2021 as ITIC identifies 27 policy recommendations needed for “survival and revival” –
Tuesday, December 29th 2020
ITIC Year End Review of 2020 and Outlook for 2021
– Tourism industry ends annus horribilis in Level 5 with revenue down 85% –
– Industry “on the brink” but cautious hope for 2021 with vaccine roll-out and pent-up demand –
– ITIC welcome Brexit deal but warn that financial support for industry must continue for 2021 and comprehensive testing regime needed to restore international connectivity –
– Tourism industry hopeful for half of international tourists next year compared to 2019 with full recovery not until 2024 –
Tuesday, October 13th 2020
ITIC welcome Budget 2021 as important first step on road to tourism industry recovery
– Reduction in Vat, financial scheme to support Covid-impacted enterprises, and €55 million business continuity grants all crucial survival measures for tourism sector –
– Disappointment that value of wage subsidy scheme not enhanced –
Thursday, October 1st 2020
ITIC call for leadership from Taoiseach on international travel restrictions in open letter
– Loss of international tourists costing industry €27 million per day and 300,000 jobs in danger if no Government intervention –
– Budget is “last chance” to save tourism and hospitality industry and business continuity grants, improved wage subsidy scheme and Vat reduction “imperative to survival” –
– Government’s Save & Spend Scheme “ineffective” due to Covid restrictions –
CLICK HERE for Open Letter to Taoiseach
Wednesday, September 2nd 2020
ITIC publishes Tourism Call to Action calling for urgent Government support
– All key tourism and hospitality business groups agree 5 key policy asks –
– Loss of international tourists costing industry €27 million per day and 200,000 jobs in danger if no Government intervention –
Thursday, July 23rd 2020
Statement from Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the representative body of tourism businesses across Ireland, in response to today’s publication of the July Stimulus measures.
Wednesday, July 15th 2020
Tourism industry facing devastation without Government support in July stimulus package.
Widespread business closures and job losses likely particularly in regional Ireland says industry body.
“Viable but vulnerable” businesses require immediate measures including €1.5 billion support package and extension of wage subsidy scheme.
14-day quarantine rule is “blunt, ineffective and flawed” and needs to be replaced by a comprehensive testing regime.
Monday, June 29th 2020
ITIC publish Tourism Industry Revival Plan in response to Covid-19
– “Irish tourism’s fightback starts here” says industry body who says that 2019 levels of revenue won’t return until 2024 –
– Immediate measures needed include €1.5 billion support package, 1-metre social distancing rule, and ending of 14-day quarantine period for international arrivals –
– ITIC “disappointed and frustrated” that tourism not included in economic ministry by new Government –
Sunday, June 28th 2020
ITIC significantly disappointed at exclusion of tourism from economic or business portfolio in new Government
Wednesday, May 20th 2020
ITIC welcomes appointment of Ruth Andrews to Chair Tourism Recovery Taskforce
Wednesday, March 11th 2020
Vat deferral scheme vital to alleviate serious cashflow pressures in Tourism & Hospitality sectors – ITIC
– Immediate action is critical as thousands of jobs at stake due to volume of cancellations and lack of future bookings –
– “Cashflow is the oxygen of business” according to ITIC who state that Tourism is in front line of Coronavirus business impact –
Monday, March 9th 2020
ITIC statement on Cancellation of St Patrick’s Day parade due to Coronavirus.
Tuesday, November 26th 2019
CSO figures represent a mixed picture for Irish tourism. Brexit and Vat increase impacting on Ireland’s largest industry.
Wednesday, June 12th 2019
Spend by tourists down 4% in Q1 as CSO show 2019 a tougher year for Irish tourism industry. Brexit and VAT increase impacting on Ireland’s largest industry.
Wednesday, May 1st 2019
ITIC publishes May 2019 progress update for its ‘Tourism – An Industry Strategy for Growth to 2025’ report and warns as Government demonstrates drift and indecision on tourism policy as competitiveness weakens.
Thursday, April 11th 2019 – ITIC AGM
- Hard Brexit could cost Irish tourism €390 million ITIC warns
- Tourism Industry can add 80,000 more jobs nationwide by 2025 if right policies are pursued
- “Tourism sector at a key juncture” says incoming Chair Ruth Andrews of industry group
Friday, February 1st 2019
The Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019, organised by ITIC, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, gathered the ‘crème de la crème’ of the Irish tourism industry, announcing 15 winning companies as best in their category from 75 shortlisted finalists as well as a Special Recognition Award presented to Willie Walsh, CEO at IAG.
Tuesday, October 9th 2018
Tourism industry body reaction to increase in tourism Vat rate from 9% to 13.5%
Wednesday, September 26th 2018
Tourism – An Industry Strategy for Growth to 2025 – Autumn 2018 Update
Tuesday, March 20th 2018
Tourism – An Industry Strategy for Growth to 2025
Tuesday, October 10th 2017
Tourism industry body welcomes retention of tourism Vat rate
Friday, September 29th 2017
Tourism decline from Britain continues – industry body urges Government to retain competitiveness and invest in tourism
Wednesday, March 29th 2017
Evidence of Brexit impact – sharp drop in British visitors alarms Irish industry. Central Statistics Office confirms 6% decline in British arrivals from December 2016 to February 2017 – monthly drop in February alone is 22%. ITIC warns that up to 10,000 jobs at risk
Monday, March 6th, 2017
Hard Brexit Poses ‘Unique And Unprecedented Challenge’ For Tourism. Industry Report Calls For Government Policies on Key Issues. Brexit Poses Biggest Threat to Ireland’s Largest Indigenous Industry since 2008 Global Crash, says ITIC
Friday, February 3rd, 2017
Irish Tourism Industry Awards celebrate innovation and excellence in Irish tourism
