This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
TOURISM Irish sector to retain lower VAT


Ireland’s tourism, hospital- ity and leisure industry has been handed a boost aſt er it was announced that the tem- porary 9 per cent VAT rate introduced in July 2011 will remain throughout 2013. The reduced rate was


implemented by the govern- ment in an attempt to increase inbound tourism and create jobs, and applies to products such as hotel accommodation and restaurant meals. Tourism minister Leo


Varadkar has said the mea- sure will be kept until the end of next year to benefi t T e Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long programme of festivals. Varadkar said: “The VAT reduction has


T e special 9 per cent VAT rate only applies to tourism sector products


Gathering Ireland 2013, which is set to be the country’s largest-ever tourism event. A programme of festivals and events will


enabled businesses to be more competitive and off er lower prices to their customers.” • Meanwhile, Taioseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have launched Th e


take place in a bid to attract more visitors, with plans including a new music festival and inter- national GAA events among others. Details: http://lei.sr?a=p3S4a


Figures reveal early year boost for English tourism


New fi gures published by VisitEngland have reported a 5 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of domestic overnight trips taken in England during January 2012. According to the latest research, there were 5.4 million domestic trips taken across the


country. Spend grew by 16 per cent to £877m when compared with January 2011. However, VisitEngland said January’s mild


weather could have boosted the fi gures, with travel in January 2011 disrupted by snow. Details: http://lei.sr?a=n3j1s


New study explores Dark Sky Park impact


A new report compiled by Ekos on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland has examined the tourism impact of the UK’s fi rst International Dark Sky Park in Galloway. In late 2009, Galloway


Forest Park secured Dark Sky Park status from the International Dark Sky Association for being a prime location for stargazing. T e report includes inter-


views with local tourism firms, the majority (77 per cent) of which have seen an impact on the number of bed nights since the designation. Forestry Commission Scotland invested £31,000 in the Dark Sky Park, including a one-off £10,000 cost. Additional visitor spend generated has totalled more than £40,000.


© CYBERTREK 2012 Galloway Forest Park was given Dark Sky Park designation in late 2009 T e report concluded: “T e Dark Sky Park


off ers a unique selling point for the region, par- ticularly in the quieter period of the year.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=c2V9f


Twitter: @leisureopps Teaching Pool


T: +44 (0) 1752 771740 E: sales@hippoleisure.com W: www.hippoleisure.com


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 9 Beach Platforms


INCLUSIVE INTERACTIVE WATER PLAY


Hippo Leisure… Revitalise, Rejuvenate, Reinvent


Pool Side


image: keith murphy/shutterstock


image: forestry commission scotland


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24