The Irish Hotels Federation has appointed Denyse Campbell as its 39th President, succeeding Elaina Fitzgerald Kane.
The IHF is the representative tourism body in Ireland representing almost 1,000 hotels and guesthouses, which employ over 60,000 people across the country.
A native of Strokestown, Co Roscommon, Ms Campbell is General Manager of the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport.
Ms Campbell said that her focus would be on rebuilding and renewing Ireland's tourism industry after an unprecedented two years with the industry hit badly by the outbreak of Covid-19.
"A vibrant domestic and international tourism industry is a cornerstone of economic growth and job creation across the island, from Donegal to Dublin, Kerry to Kilkenny and everywhere in between," Denyse Campbell said.
"Addressing the issues facing hotels, guesthouses and the wider tourism industry - which supported an estimated 270,000 jobs pre-pandemic, one in 10 of all Irish jobs, 70% of which are outside Dublin - is crucial to rebuilding our national economy," she said
"I look forward to working with the Government to ensure tourism remains at the heart of Ireland's economic policy," she added.
"As businesses throughout the country rebuild, maintaining international competitiveness via the extension of the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector will be a key priority and one I will be advocating strongly for on behalf of our members and the entire tourism industry," the new IHF President said.
