- Joep Peeters and Angela Graun discussed tourist taxes, US visitor numbers, AI and hotel facilities at the Radisson RED Galway.
- Peeters stated that overnight stay VAT ranges from 3pc in Luxembourg to 25pc in Denmark, with Ireland at 13.5pc.
- The executives stated that a single US visitor contributes roughly the same economic value as 1.74 European visitors or 3.02 British visitors.
- Peeters shared that AI would not be allowed to organise a wedding.
- The executives stated that frontline hospitality must remain human to maintain Irish hospitality.
Two senior executives from Radisson Hotel Group have discussed key issues facing Irish tourism, including tourist taxes, US visitor numbers, the role of AI, hotel facilities such as pools and the impact of Irish weather. Joep Peeters, Senior Vice President, and Angela Graun, Vice President of Revenue Management, met at the Radisson RED Galway to debate pressures on the sector. Peeters has voiced frustration regarding the lack of harmonisation in VAT and tourist taxes across European jurisdictions.
Peeters stated that overnight stay VAT ranges from as low as 3pc in Luxembourg to 25pc in Denmark, while Ireland stands at 13.5pc and the EU average sits at around 10pc. The executives cautioned that fragmentation in European tax rules adds complexity and friction for international travellers.
They stated that the North American market holds supreme importance to the Irish economy and that American tourists typically stay longer and spend more per night. Industry metrics have indicated that a single US visitor contributes roughly the same economic value to Ireland as 1.74 European visitors or 3.02 British visitors.
Peeters and Graun stated that technology streamlines back-office administration, revenue forecasting and data analysis, but drew a line at replacing human interaction. Peeters shared that technology is useful while stating that AI would not be allowed to organise a wedding. The executives stated that data and AI should power backend decisions, while frontline hospitality, including empathy and intuitive service provided by hotel staff, must remain human to maintain Irish hospitality.
