AA Hospitality Services has said it will wave the accreditation fees for all current properties for this year as the hospitality sector has become one of the industries hardest hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.
AA Ireland's inspection team informed their accredited properties recently to advise of the decision to waive all fees for the year ahead.
However, the AA has committed to carrying out property inspections as normal once the restrictions introduced to fight the outbreak are lifted and properties have re-opened, in order to aid the sector in recovering lost business.
"Our colleagues in the hospitality industry were the first to adapt to changes that have serious implications on their business, which will have serious repercussions well into the future," commented Conor Faughnan, the AA's Director of Consumer Affairs.
Mr Faughnan said that hotels across Ireland, like many other businesses, have had to close and see significant losses in income during what would have traditionally been the start of the tourism season.
"Many of those affected will still have to pay suppliers and may be trying to assist staff, and these challenges made the decision for the AA to waive accreditation fees for the year ahead an easy one," he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has instructed his Department to finalise proposals that will help to alleviate the financial pressures that are now impacting on the travel sector in Ireland, affecting Irish licenced travel agents and tour operators.
In a statement, Shane Ross said options under consideration include - as a temporary measure - the use of vouchers or some form of credit note for customer refunds in a way that does not materially erode consumer rights.
Mr Ross said the challenge is in finding a fair and commensurate response to what is a unique set of circumstances.
