June 2, 2010 - Ireland’s airline carrier, Ryanair reported they have irrefutable evidence that the Irish government is responsible for the collapse in Irish tourism as new (independent) statistics show traffic growth has returned to those EU countries that do not impose tourist taxes.  

Ryanair has said the statistics disprove Minister Dempsey’s claims that the fall in traffic and tourism is ‘an international phenomenon’ and proves that Irish tourism is being devastated by the government’s €10 tourist tax. 

The RDC Aviation report highlights that Irish seat capacity (which drives passenger numbers) collapsed by over 140,000 in April and by over 700,000 so far in 2010.

		“The Irish Govt’s €10 tourist tax and high charges at the DAA Monopoly have made Dublin an uncompetitive, expensive destination. Growth has returned throughout Europe except in Ireland, the UK and France which are the only major European countries to tax tourists instead of welcoming them.

“Ireland’s traffic and tourism decline will increase when charges at the DAA Monopoly rocket by over 40% in October as the Dept of Transport rewards the DAA for its traffic decline and the €1.2bn white elephant, T2. Unfortunately 2010 will be even worse than 2009 in terms of lost visitors, jobs and tourism revenues in Ireland. It is time to axe this stupid €10 tourist tax and slash the DAA’s high fees."

See:

Ryanair Accuses Transportation Minister Of Misleading The Dáil

Ireland’s Ryanair Prime Ministers Lied To Public Over Hanger 6

Irelands Ryanair Passengers Want O’Leary To Sumo Stelios

Ryanair Confronts Both Ministers Of Enterprise And Transportation