CSO data published today shows that the number of overseas visits to Ireland for the first quarter of 2019 increased by 5.5% compared to the same period in 2018.
Responding to today’s CSO figures, Fáilte Ireland’s CEO Paul Kelly, said:
“It is reassuring to see that overseas visitor numbers to Ireland are continuing on an upward trajectory and exceeding the figures from the same period last year. While this reflects the fact that international tourism is growing globally and Ireland continues to stand out as a destination, it is important to be cautious as we face a challenging year ahead. The potential impact of Brexit on our economy is a serious concern for the country as a whole but its impact specifically on the tourism industry, which one of Ireland’s biggest employers, should not be underestimated.”
Comparing Q1 in 2019 with Q1 2018, today’s figures show:
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Overall trips to Ireland were up by 5.5% to 2,026,700 visits;
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Visits from North America were up by 10.7% to 367,200 visits;
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Visits from Mainland Europe were up by 7.6% to 730,000 visits;
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Britain registered an increase of 1.4% to 809,100 visits;
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Visits from the rest of the world (long-haul) increased by 6.9% to 120,300 visits.
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