In 2019, the total number of trips to Ireland by overseas residents was 10,807,500, an increase of 1.8% over 2018. There was an increase of 6.5% in the number of overseas trips made by Irish residents in 2019 to over 8.8 million. See tables 3 and 4.
Trips by residents of Great Britain increased by 0.8% in 2019 to 3,787,700 while trips by residents of European Countries other than Great Britain (Other Europe) increased by 2.6% to 3,910,200. Trips by residents of USA and Canada to Ireland increased by 1.2% to 2,412,500 while trips to Ireland from Other Areas increased by 5.5% to 697,200. See tables 3 and 4.
In December 2019, the total number of trips to Ireland rose to 779,200 – an increase of 5.5% compared to twelve months earlier.
The total number of overseas trips made by Irish residents during December 2019 decreased by 1.5% to 564,500.
The total number of trips (Irish residents’ trips overseas plus trips to Ireland) in December 2019 increased by 2.5% to 1,343,700 when compared to twelve months earlier.
Commenting on the figures, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Today’s figures from the CSO indicate that overseas arrivals increased by +1.8% in 2019, over 191,000 more than in 2018.
“2019 has presented a mixed picture for Irish tourism and this is reflected in today’s CSO figures. We’ve seen a small increase in arrivals from Britain (+0.8%), a modest performance from both Mainland Europe (+2.6%) and North America (+1.2%) and arrivals from long-haul markets up +5.5%. However, North America has seen a disappointing decline of -5% for the month of December alone. There’s been a deterioration in air access capacity from North America this winter, with a -9% decline.
“The figures very much reflect feedback from our industry partners on the ground, who’ve seen weaker demand this year. The continued uncertainty around Brexit is giving rise to consumer concern in Britain and some Mainland European markets.
“Our focus now is on the year ahead. Tourism Ireland’s campaigns are in full swing, to surpass the performance of 2019. The aim of our three-year strategy for 2020-2022 is to grow overseas tourism revenue to €6.54 billion (+13%) and visitor numbers to 12 million (+7%), by 2022. Tourism Ireland aims to spread the benefits of tourism more broadly across the island of Ireland, on a year-round basis.”