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THE NUMBER OF foreign visitors to Irish shores has increased in a big way in the last three months alone.
The increases seen, as evidenced by the Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) latest official release, suggests that the tourism industry here is booming.
With the likes of the Wild Atlantic Way being such a big hit the figures are perhaps not surprising.
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Overall, the total number of trips taken from foreign shores to Ireland increased by 17.2% year on year for the period December to February to 1,690,400, an increase of 247,000.
Trips by British citizens increased by the greatest amount – up 21.2% to 838,800, while visits from other European nations were up 14.4% to 550,000.
North American visits to these shores where likewise greatly increased, if not to the same extent seen in Europe – they increased by 13% to 199,100.
The situation can also be seen in reverse – overseas trips made by Irish travellers were up 7.7% to 1,363,000 for the same period.
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The resurgent economy is starting to make its presence felt on our travel budgets it seems.
“While this visitor data relates to a small share of the overall season, it is nonetheless very encouraging,” said Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, regarding the positive figures.
Quinn cautioned however that the tourism sector is “very susceptible to external factors”.
Sustained tourism growth must be increasingly driven by the strength and international appeal of our brands, like the Wild Atlantic Way, and by ensuring that we continue to provide excellent value for money and top quality.
You can view the relevant CSO data here.
Totally peeded of with putting it forward and back. Why can’t we just leave it forward so we still have brighter evenings where I can get things done in daylight after finishing work. Can’t do nothing in the darkness!!
@Brian Kelly: be dark at nearly 10 in the morning if they are left.
@Brian Kelly: what time do you finish work that it would still be bright?
@Brian Kelly: because the sunrise would be close to 10 am in mid winter with no advantage a night time.
Just means the kids will have us up at 5am instead of 6am
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: those were the days, now we have to wake them up
@Tom kenny: its a lot better!
@Derek Moran: jaysus, it’s mighty
I’ve 4 waines under 6yrs that will remind me
We will be going back an hour a day when Sinn Feinn in power .
Yawn !
And the last 100 years of FG/FF ?
@Karl: yep you will be tired of going back to been the poor of Europe with these gombeens
Yep because it’s all been rosey under the administrations in power… SF might not be the cure and I don’t think protest votes help anyone but the threat of them should get FF/FG to get their $h!t together.
I see the former housing minister is creaming €450 a day as an election observer wonder how he got that job?
@Dave Byrne: do you know how hard these guys work? Wait a minute, politicians, not those guys.
@Dave Byrne: as bad as FF and FG are Sinn Feinn are the bottom of the barrel everyone knows that .
Obviously not David, because they topped the red sea poll this week, just maybe (just maybe) you are slightly prejudice and need to vent a little
You will lose an hour of your life listening to people reminding you to put them back..
Excellent . Totally forgot. As I tuck into he for work in the morning . What a lil surprise.
@slfc21: bed*
I’m alright Jack. Have me fux capacitor fired up and ready to go.
This is 2021 – a smartphone never forgets! :-)
If you work nights do you gain or lose an hours pay??
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