Ireland could lose out on millions brought into the country by international conferences due to an upcoming hike on VAT for accommodation.
The AIPCO is the body that represents conference organisers in Ireland, helping to organise over 175 international association conferences per year, brining in over 45,000 international delegates, worth up to €1,600 per conference. He stressed on Newstalk's Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam that Covid brought a "traumatic" few years and that three years worth of events have been organised since.
"It is crucial that the VAT rate is retained at the 9%, which is due to increase to 13.5% by the end of the month," he said, adding that it would make Ireland the fourth highest for accommodation in Europe.