Ireland will have lower prices in restaurants, hotels and at visitor attractions for travelers this year and next as a result of a temporary reduction in the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT), which has been in place since July 2011.The announcement that the 9 percent rate will hold until the end of 2013 will allow tour operators, visitors and businesses to plan for the 2013 season, and is expected to help attract thousands of extra visitors to Ireland.

2013 will be an important year for the Emerald Isle as it is the year of the Gathering Ireland festival. The Gathering Ireland 2013 is calling people around the world of Irish descent or with Irish connections to come home and join in the year-long festival of festivals. More affordable hotel accommodation, restaurant meals and leisure facilities will be another reason for people to choose 2013 as the year of their homecoming. Overseas visitor numbers to Ireland increased by 6 percent in 2011 and industry representative groups are indicating that inquiries and advance bookings for the coming months are ahead of those at the same time last year.