Hotels Urged To End The Greedy Practice Of Price Gouging

Fine Gael have called on hotels in Ireland to "end their greedy practice of price gouging".

Making the call, Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone, said: "The recent CSO finding that tourism has risen 6.7% in the first half of this year is very welcome. However, if we want to sustain this level of tourism which benefits almost all sectors of the economy, we must ensure it is not taken advantage of by selfish operators.

"Price gouging by hotels is a serious deterrent to holidaymakers choosing Ireland as their destination.

"In 2017 the average price of a hotel room rose by 6% (Irish Hotel Federations) in Dublin, this is despite hotels availing of the reduced 9% VAT rate. It will be hard for the government to continue justifying maintaining this rate in Dublin if gouging continues."

Senator Noone described the practice of price gouging as "purely opportunistic" and that if it was left unchecked would lead to tourists opting for alternative destinations.

She continued: "According to a report by Failte Ireland earlier this year, a total of 86% of hotel customers are influenced by the price rate. Increasing rates in Dublin will only damage our reputation and overall tourist numbers.

"Nobody wants to feel as though they are being overcharged and we certainly do not want to be seen as taking advantage of people who choose to visit and experience our rich culture and history."

(MH/LM)