HOTELS must end their greedy practice of price gouging, Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone has said.

Senator Noone, who will be contesting the Dublin Bay North constituency at the next General Election said, “The recent CSO finding that tourism has risen 6.7% in the first half of this year is very welcome. However, if we want to sustain this level of tourism which benefits almost all sectors of the economy, we must ensure it is not taken advantage of by selfish operators.

“Price gouging by hotels is a serious deterrent to holidaymakers choosing Ireland as their destination.

“In 2017 the average price of a hotel room rose by 6% (Irish Hotel Federations) in Dublin, this is despite hotels availing of the reduced 9% VAT rate. It will be hard for the government to continue justifying maintaining this rate in Dublin if gouging continues,” Senator Noone warned.

Senator Noone added: “This is purely opportunistic and if left unchecked it will lead to tourists opting for alternative destinations. According to a report by Failte Ireland earlier this year, a total of 86% of hotel customers are influenced by the price rate. Increasing rates in Dublin will only damage our reputation and overall tourist numbers.

A quick search on popular accommodation website, www.booking.com, for a bedroom for two people sharing in a four star hotel in Dublin city centre for one night on Saturday, August 18 – which is the night before this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling final – shows prices across the city coming in from €236 to more than €400. There are similar results for the night of September 2 – the night before the All-Ireland senior football final.

“Nobody wants to feel as though they are being overcharged and we certainly do not want to be seen as taking advantage of people who choose to visit and experience our rich culture and history,” Senator Noone added.