IRISH RESIDENTS ARE taking more domestic trips or ‘staycations’ than they were last year, according to the latest figures released from the Central Statistic Office.
A total 7.1 million domestic trips were taken last year, 1.56 million taken in the last quarter of 2013, which is up 3.6 per cent than the last three months of 2012.
On average, staycations last 2.3 nights, resulting in 3.6 million bed nights.
Holidays
While 39 per cent of the trips taken are classed as “holidays”, 42 per cent say they were visiting family and friends.
In 2013, the most popular place to visit in Ireland was the capital, Dublin, recording 7.1 million domestic trips.
This is followed by Cork, Galway, Kerry, Wexford, Mayo, Clare, Donegal, Waterford and Wexford, respectively.
The place that was least visited for domestic trips are the counties of Louth and Monaghan.
Spending money
Total expenditure on domestic trips for 2013 was €1,373.2 million, with expenditure on holidays and visiting friends accounting for €69.8 million in the last three months of 2013.
The figures show that people over the age of 50 are taking the most trips within Ireland, at 2.9 million trips recorded for this group in 2013.
Although domestic trips are on the rise, trips outside of Ireland are still popular, however, they have seen a fall.
In 2013, Irish people took 6.5 million trips outside of Ireland, 1.4 million in the last quarter.
However, in 2012, Irish people took 6.6 million trips abroad.
The most popular country to visit in 2013 was the UK, followed by Spain, with the average length of stay being 7.9 nights.
Are you holidaying in Ireland this year?
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