Refugee hotels: Irish tourism chiefs want ‘balanced approach’

Mr Kelly said the industry’s biggest concern was about the impact on non-accommodation businesses such as visitor attractions and activity providers.

He said the knock-on effect of reduced tourist beds could see those businesses experiencing a €1bn (£878m) drop in revenues this year.

He told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media that inbound travel agents have said many visitors who want to come to Ireland are now booking other countries because they cannot find accommodation.

He added that the lack of supply “created conditions that facilitate pricing practices that put Ireland’s long-term reputation at risk”.

He said he “conveyed a message” to providers in December asking them to consider the long-term value for money reputation of the country when setting prices.

Mr O’Mara Walsh said that in February the average daily hotel room price in Dublin was €150 (£131) with average prices outside Dublin at €143.

He said that was 26% higher than the same month in 2019, but that reflected cost increases in energy, labor and insurance.