Sir, - Your Editorial of August 3rd was well presented. It is very surprising that the proposal that visitors should pay a £3 levy should come from the Minister for Tourism because he would have to take the backlash if it was implemented. As you rightly say, our international competitors would be delighted at such a development.
It is very easy to fall into the trap while the Celtic Tiger is here, but the Tiger could well move somewhere else. Tourists/visitors pay a lot of money to get here as we are an island destination. They pay VAT on accommodation, food, drink and car hire at a minimum rate of 12.5 per cent. Last year they contributed £1.4 billion to the Exchequer. How much of this money is put back into marketing Ireland?
It is alarming that two very senior positions in Irish tourism are currently vacant and have been for some time, the director-general of Bord Failte and the head of marketing. These posts should be filled without further delay and then let our tourist board direct the industry. We should be proud of the efforts of Bord Failte which has brought great success to our country. Let the professionals continue to develop our industry before it is damaged by short-sighted ideas generated by people who do not have a long-term view of the business.
Whoever presented this "notion" to Dr McDaid should think again. There are far too many jobs at stake in our industry for it to be treated in such a manner. I speak on behalf of people who spend their lives in the great profession. - Yours, etc., Michael Governey,
President, Irish Hotel and Catering Institute, Sussex Road, Dublin 4.