Ireland's Tourist Accommodation Capacity & Pipeline Q1 2025
Ireland had 353,250 estimated tourist accommodation bedspaces in Q1 2025, but construction growth was concentrated in Dublin.
Overview
Covering tourist accommodation supply and pipeline data as at Q1 2025, the Tourist Accommodation Outlook June 2025 gives a national view of bedspace stock and future capacity. It brings together registered National Quality Assurance Framework bedspaces, estimated short-term let bedspaces, and planning pipeline data.
The report shows 353,250 estimated combined bedspaces, +2% above Q2 2024, driven by estimated short-term let growth. It also shows 11,550 bedspaces under construction, with almost 90% in Dublin.
For tourism businesses, the data shows where supply is concentrated, how it is changing, and what types of development are moving through the pipeline.
Key takeaways
Combined bedspace stock rose by +2%, driven by estimated STL growth
Estimated combined bedspaces increased by +2%, or +5,550 bedspaces, from Q2 2024. Estimated STL bedspaces increased by +7%, while registered NQAF bedspaces fell by -2%.
As STL supply is more transient, seasonal, and harder to measure, this growth may not reflect a permanent increase to accommodation capacity
Hotels account for 45% and holiday lets for 38% of current supply
In Q1 2025, hotels accounted for 45% of estimated combined bedspaces and holiday lets accounted for 38%. Outdoor accounted for 9%, serviced accommodation 5%, and hostels 1%. These figures show the accommodation mix behind national bedspace capacity.
Dublin accounts for 86% of bedspaces under construction
Just under one in four estimated combined bedspaces were in Dublin. Dublin also accounted for 86% of all bedspaces under construction and 93% of hotel bedspaces under construction. Outside Dublin, 1,600 bedspaces were under construction, with outdoor accommodation and hotels accounting for the largest shares.
NQAF and STL datasets moved in different directions
National Quality Assurance Framework bedspaces fell by -4,750, while estimated STL bedspaces rose by +9,300. The report notes that the STL market is transient, seasonal, and harder to monitor. The upcoming Short-Term Letting Register may change the visibility of this part of the market.
Pipeline data shows more outdoor and holiday let submissions
There were 36,250 bedspaces with plans granted and 7,750 with plans submitted in Q1 2025. Hotels accounted for 75% of bedspaces with plans granted, but 49% of bedspaces with plans submitted. Outdoor and holiday let planning submissions increased between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025.
What this means for tourism businesses
This report examines Ireland's tourist accommodation capacity and development pipeline. It provides an overview of existing bedspace supply, planned developments and future growth potential to help businesses, investors and destination partners understand how accommodation capacity is changing across the country
Ireland's estimated tourist accommodation stock continued to grow in Q1 2025, largely driven by increases in short-term letting (STL) accommodation. While overall bedspace numbers exceeded Fáilte Ireland's 2026 growth target, the report notes that STL supply is seasonal, difficult to measure and may change following the introduction of the Short-Term Letting Register. Registered accommodation stock declined during the same period.
Construction activity increased significantly compared with the previous reporting period, with most projects concentrated in Dublin. Hotels account for the majority of bedspaces under construction, while outdoor accommodation and holiday lets make up a growing share of new planning applications. The report also highlights that not every approved project progresses to construction, making pipeline data an important indicator rather than a guarantee of future supply.
The research highlights the importance of monitoring accommodation supply alongside local demand. New capacity is unevenly distributed across the country, with future growth concentrated in particular locations and accommodation types. Businesses can use these insights to understand local market conditions, identify development trends and make more informed commercial and investment decisions.
Practical actions you can take
Monitor your local market
- Compare accommodation supply in your county with regional and national trends.
- Track new developments that may affect competition, visitor demand and pricing.
- Use local market intelligence alongside your own occupancy and booking data when planning investment.
Plan for future capacity
- Consider how planned accommodation developments could influence future visitor demand.
- Monitor changes in accommodation types, including hotels, outdoor accommodation and short-term lets.
- Review opportunities to extend seasonality and improve utilisation outside peak periods.
Make informed investment decisions
- Use accommodation pipeline data to understand where new capacity is expected to come to market.
- Consider planning, construction and delivery timelines when assessing future opportunities.
- Review accommodation development alongside wider destination plans and visitor demand.
Download Tourist Accommodation Outlook: Ireland's Capacity and Pipeline (June 2025)
Read the full Tourist Accommodation Outlook: Ireland's Capacity and Pipeline (June 2025) for detailed analysis of accommodation supply, development pipeline and future capacity trends.