The CSO have today released tourism data for the full year 2017. This gives details on overseas visitors numbers, purpose of visit, nights and revenue.
Commenting on today’s CSO data, Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said:
“Today’s figures confirm that 2017 was a record year both in terms of visitor numbers and revenue - with almost €300 million in additional revenue generated for the country by overseas visitors. We also estimate that, last year, tourism employment grew by an impressive 10,000 jobs. This growth in revenue, and its ability to spur employment, underscores the vital importance of tourism for Ireland. Its importance is even greater when you consider the fact that in this growth in revenue and jobs is generated in many parts of the country where there are not many other major industries and where tourism is absolutely vital to local communities.
“Last year may have been a record year, but the tourism industry will not be resting on its laurels. At Fáilte Ireland, we will continue to invest in and support growth within the tourism sector with particular emphasis on extending the tourism season for many operators and driving activity into those parts of the country where we believe there is potential for greater visitor capacity and growth.”
% change
|
|
Visitors
|
Nights
|
Revenue (exc fares)
|
|
Britain
|
-5.0
|
0.2
|
-5.1
|
|
North America
|
16.2
|
11.6
|
14.1
|
|
Mainland Europe
|
5.5
|
-1.1
|
6.6
|
|
Other areas
|
12.5
|
13.0
|
10.3
|
|
Total
|
3.6
|
3.4
|
6.5
|
|
Holiday
|
7.3
|
6.7
|
8.3
|
|
Business
|
-4.0
|
3.6
|
5.8
|
|
VFR
|
0.5
|
0.1
|
3.6
|
|
Hotels
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
GH/B&Bs
|
|
9.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: CSO Tourism and Travel survey, 14 March 2018
Some key points to note:
• Total overseas visitors to Ireland grew by 3.6% to 9.9 million in 2017, with North America (+16.2%) and other long haul areas (+12.5%) growing particularly strongly. The decline of 5.0% in British numbers was compensated for by a growth of 5.5% in visitors from Mainland Europe.
• Total revenue excluding fares grew by 6.5% to €4.9 billion, again with North America (+14.1%) and other long haul areas (+10.3%) contributing strongly.
• Holiday visits grew by 7.3%, ahead of the growth in visitor numbers, with holiday nights and revenue up by 6.7% and 8.3% respectively.
• Overall visitor nights (+3.4%) grew in line with visitor numbers, with British nights down just marginally despite the 5% drop in visitor numbers.
• Nights in Hotels were up 3.6% up on last year; Guesthouse/B&B nights grew by 9.4%
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