DEAR PRIME MINISTER

FEDERATION CALLS FOR INDUSTRY SUPPORT FOR VAT, PEOPLE AND COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

After a summer of political turmoil, Liz Truss has won the Tory vote and is new British Prime Minister. As she moves into Number 10 Downing Street, hoteliers are keen to see political stability as well as support for the industry on a national level, and the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation has written to the new Prime Minister as she starts her term of office.

Stephen Meldrum, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, says: “The election of Liz Truss as Leader of the Conservative Party, and her appointment as Prime Minister, brings an interesting and uncertain summer to an end. The Federation welcomes the political stability and hopes that she will be in a position to resolve the local political stalemate.

“The hotel and wider tourism sector were well supported through the COVID-19 pandemic but we are now facing an uncertain future. Business has held up well over the summer months with staycations, return of international travel and a reawakening of business travel.

“However, local political turmoil places Northern Ireland in a difficult position. Global forces beyond the control of any individual business or sector are affecting us all and while it is imperative that the Executive is restored as soon as possible, the issues facing hotels will require intervention at a national level. The Federation welcomes the political stability and hopes that she will be in a position to resolve the local political stalemate”.

He continues: “The NIHF is keen to see a VAT reduction for the sector. A return to the 5% rate of 2021 would help hotels and the wider sector cope with

NEW ROLE

AC BY MARRIOTT BELFAST the current rising cost base and help the industry return to 2019 levels of business.

“The lack of people available to take up vacancies has been an issue for the entire business community and a simplified and expedient Immigration process would be of benefit to business UK wide.

“The issue of energy costs has been amplified over the last number of weeks and as winter approaches the issue can only be exacerbated. Urgent policies to address the energy crisis appear to be high up the agenda and, if the current rhetoric is to be believed, will be addressed as a priority.