Tourism firms want rates cuts

Tourism firms want rates cuts

The NITIC wants more visitors to Northern Ireland attractions

A new tourism body has called for rates on all businesses involved in the industry to be abolished.

The Northern Ireland Tourism Industry Confederation (NITIC) issued its manifesto on Tuesday that included measures it said would help increase the number of foreign holidaymakers.

The document - Tourism, its future now - indicates areas where the body feels the industry can be enhanced in the future.

It points out that while the amount spent by tourists had gone up by 60% since 1991, it contributed less than 2% to Northern Ireland's gross domestic product.

"It is essential that the Northern Ireland tourism industry has the tools, infra and super structures, and profile to continue to develop its market share internationally," said the document.

It said the industry was "burdened by excessive operating costs and charges" in certain areas.

Along with abolishing rates for tourism businesses the new body is proposing for:

A reduction in VAT to match the Irish Republic.

Funds from air passenger duty to be reallocated to finance the development of tourism and amenities.

Introduction of tax reliefs and tax incentives that would help the tourism sector's growth.

Encouragement and finance for the improvement of the Northern Ireland image in primary markets - Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, USA and Europe.

Air travel concerns

The new organisation represent a wide cross section of private business involved in tourism.

These include airports and seaports, airlines and ferry companies, accommodation and trade organisations and numerous tourism bodies.

It said providing access to the province was central to the tourism industry and highlighted how ill-served it was with scheduled air services. There are just seven international scheduled flights to Belfast a week, campared to 407 into Dublin.

NITIC chairman Denis Galway said: "Tourism reaches into every facet of our society and generates a significant contribution to the local economy.

"But there is room for improvement and this manifesto aims to highlight these opportunities and work towards realising them."