Tackling the lack of available credit for business is one of the most important issues to be addressed by the hotels industry in the coming year, according to incoming Irish Hotels' Federation president Michael Vaughan.
Speaking after his election at the federation's annual conference in Kilkenny this morning, Mr Vaughan said his priorities would be addressing the credit issue, creating a positive business environment for the hotels sector and effective promotion of Ireland in its key tourism market of Britain.
He also said he would highlight the position of the west of Ireland in national tourism plans, as well as measures to reduce high costs associated with doing business in Ireland.
Mr Vaughan is the owner of the four-star Vaughan Lodge Hotel in Lahinch, Co Clare. A graduate of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, he previously worked with Jurys Hotel Group. He has also provided consultancy services to hotel and tourism enterprises including Shannon Airport Authority.
A fourth generation hotelier he follows in the footsteps of his father, who was president of the federation in 1967. The Irish Hotels Federation represents more than 900 hotels and guesthouses employing over 54,000 people.
Mr Vaughan succeeds Paul Gallagher the general manager of Buswells Hotel in Dublin.