Equine tourism businesses eligible for Fáilte Ireland fund

EQUESTRIAN businesses affected by Covid-19 are eligible to apply to the Covid-19 Adaptation Fund, the third step in Fáilte Ireland’s approach to re-opening.

It has been designed to contribute to the costs incurred by tourism businesses as they implement Fáilte Ireland’s Guidelines for Re-opening. Eligible businesses can apply for adaptation grants from now until October 31st 2020. Check out failteireland.ie for more information.

Separately, the Tourism Recovery Plan was welcomed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D, on Tuesday.

Compiled by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, among the recommendations that will appeal to the equestrian tourism industry is that to reduce the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9% with immediate effect.

There is also a recommendation to introduce legislation and regulatory measures to increase supply and reduce the costs of insurance. These should inter-alia include protecting businesses from unwarranted and excessive claims through redefining ‘occupiers’ duty of care, revising guidelines on levels of claims, and acting quickly on any CCPC recommendations to enhance competition in the sector.