CSO data released today shows that the number of overseas visits to Ireland for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 6.9%, compared to the corresponding period in 2017.
A breakdown of today’s data shows that visits from Mainland Europe were up by 13.8%, compared to the same period last year, while visits from North America and Britain were up by 13% and 0.3% respectively. Visits from the rest of the world (long-haul) were up by 1.5%.
Commenting on today’s CSO data, Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said:
"Although it is early in the year yet to determine the overall outlook for 2018, it is encouraging to see a robust set of figures for the first quarter of the year and if that trend continues upwards, we will enjoy another record year for overseas visits.
“Last year's tourism activity sustained 235,000 jobs and generated revenue of €6.7bn with an estimated €1.6bn going to the Exchequer. Sustained tourism growth is good for jobs, good for local communities and good for the economy. The key to sustaining this success, particularly at these record levels, is to ensure that future growth reaches all regions and that we spread activity across a longer tourism season. This can achieved by building on our compelling family of tourism brands - Ireland's Hidden Heartlands being the newest addition - and ensuring that there are top-class experiences throughout the country and throughout the year to entice visitors."
% change
|
|
All Visitors (Overnight & Day trips)
|
|
|
Jan-Mar 2017 |
Jan-Mar 2018 |
% Change |
|
Britain |
796 |
798 |
0.3 |
|
North America |
293 |
332 |
13.0 |
|
Mainland Europe |
596 |
678 |
13.8 |
|
France |
107 |
98 |
-8.9 |
|
Germany |
99 |
130 |
30.6 |
|
Italy |
60 |
71 |
18.3 |
|
Spain |
75 |
79 |
5.4 |
|
Other Europe |
255 |
302 |
18.3 |
|
Other Areas |
111 |
113 |
1.5 |
|
Australia/New Zealand |
35 |
35 |
-0.3 |
|
Other long haul areas |
76 |
78 |
2.1 |
|
Total Visitors |
1,796 |
1,921 |
6.9 |
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