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Budget 2022 a “big blow” to tourism industry

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By Sean Moriarty

This week’s budget is a “big blow” to the tourism industry according to Chair of the Kerry branch of the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) Bernadette Randles.

While she welcomed certain aspects of the budget, like the €90 million aviation package for Irish Airports she was left dismayed that the VAT rate in the hospitality sector, which is currently set at 9 percent will return to 13.5 percent at end of next August.

Ahead of the budget, hospitality sector officials were calling for this move to be delayed until 2025.

The tourism industry nationally, is trying to recover from a €7 billion hammering caused by COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Ms Randles acknowledges that the aviation package will help attract new visitors but said that if the overall package remains too expensive the net result will be fewer visitors.

“This is a big blow. We are in recovery and survival mode, we are already contracting for 2023 and if we have to turn around to these clients and say their rates have gone up again, well they just may go elsewhere,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “We are trying to recover, we are not whining, we are being very practical about this. It is not just hotels, but the entire tourism industry.”

Additional cost increases facing the entire sector include fuel, coffee products and linen suppliers. Ms Randles confirmed that all of these industries have put up their prices in recent weeks.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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