Tourism Ireland Media Room- NEWS RELEASES (2024)

FAQs

What are the challenges facing tourism in Ireland? ›

The hospitality VAT rate was increased last year and Budget 2024 saw a cut in tourism budgets. Current policies including an over-reliance on hotels for humanitarian purposes and a clamp down on airbnbs risk further destabilising an industry still some way short of pre-pandemic recovery.

Tourism has been very significantly impacted in the current COVID-19 crisis. With international travel at a virtual standstill, domestic travel significantly restricted and tourism and hospitality businesses closed, the impact of COVID-19 on Ireland's tourism sector has been immediate, unprecedented and catastrophic.

Dublin is one of Ireland's most popular tourism destinations registering 8.6 million visitors in the year 2019 which supporter 68,000 jobs in the tourism industry in 2019.

Member State

Agencies (Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland[1]), under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, are established to deal with the administration of the tourism policy.

Trends in the market: One notable trend in the Irish travel market is the rise of adventure tourism, with activities such as hiking, cycling, and water sports gaining popularity among both domestic and international travelers.

The visitors stayed a total of 3,813,800 nights in the country. The total estimated expenditure of foreign visitors on their trips to Ireland was €414.1 million. The visitors stayed on average 8.4 nights and spent on average €916 on their trips.

A one week trip to Ireland usually costs around $1,076 (€1,001) for one person and $2,153 (€2,001) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to Ireland on average costs around $2,153 (€2,001) for one person and $4,305 (€4,003) for two people.

They're very keen to experience the culture of the country and the warm Irish welcome, as well as the unbeatable scenery across Ireland — they're the three main aspects that appeal most to the American visitor.”

What is Ireland's most visited city? ›

1. Dublin. Dublin is one of the most popular cities in Ireland, and you'll spend a good chunk of time here on our Grand Tour of Ireland. Get acquainted with some guided sightseeing through highlights like Phoenix Park, the Guinness Brewery, and St.

Peak season (June through early September) is our favorite time to visit because of the longer days (with daylight from 4:30 until 22:30 — Dublin is as far north as Edmonton, Canada). Note, though, that summer crowds affect Dublin, the Cobh/Cork region, and Belfast, partly due to increasing cruise-ship traffic.

The legal name of the body is the National Tourism Development Authority, according to the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 which established it. The 2003 act also empowers the body to use the trading name of Fáilte Ireland. The word fáilte is Irish for "welcome".

Tourism Ireland operates under the auspices of the North/South Ministerial Council through the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland earns €5.3bn from overseas tourists in 2023

However, despite increasing numbers of overseas visitors, full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is still some way off. Expenditure by overseas tourists in the country in 2023 is projected at €5.3 billion, based on CSO data for the period April through October.

- Challenge: Events such as natural disasters, health crises (e.g., pandemics), political instability, and security concerns can disrupt travel plans and impact the tourism industry.

Of the top five risks facing Ireland, two are health-related: anti-microbial resistant infection and pandemic. The other three, cyber attacks, disruption to critical supply chains, and disruption to water supply are closely linked to international issues.

As Ireland has a Cool Temperature Oceanic climate, which includes regular rainfall, city attractions allow the Dublin region to have a year round tourism industry. Attractions such as museums and art galleries, e.g. The National History Museum makes it an attractive destination for tourists.

Ireland has many geological attractions, most being along the coastline of the country. The two most famous geologically important destinations in the Republic are both situated in County Clare; the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren. Another notable geological phenomena, the Giant's Causeway, lies in Northern Ireland.