Hotel price gouging in bigger cities is hurting local rural providers.
That's the message Leitrim County councillors have agreed to send to Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin.
The November meeting of Leitrim County Council heard arguments from members today that the so called 'rip off' rates charged in hotels in larger urban centres are turning visitors away from rural Ireland. The motion raised by Councillor Paddy Fallon called for a united message to be sent to government to engage with the sector and investigate price gouging. The call received widespread support from attending councillors, with Enda McGloin suggesting that government supports be removed or reduced from businesses found to be unfairly increasing prices. Councillor Finola Armstrong Maguire stated that while local hotels across Leitrim have not followed the trend from the larger cities, they are still being damaged by association.
It was also highlighted that a more effective long-term solution is needed for the housing of Ukrainian Refugees in hotels.
The motion was passed unanimously by the council this afternoon.
