Visitor numbers up

THE IRISH tourism industry has reported a “good recovery” in visitor numbers to date this year, according to the latest figures.

The data, collated by Tourism Ireland, show a 9 per cent increase in overseas visitor numbers to the Republic and 4 per cent to Northern Ireland in the first quarter.

All key markets were ahead with an increase of 7 per cent in the number of visitors from the UK, 12 per cent from North America, 10 per cent from mainland Europe and 5 per cent from elsewhere.

Hotels have had a good three months with visitors up by 15.7 per cent in April, 18.4 per cent in May and 11.1 per cent in June. The growth is being driven by an increase in visitors from mainland Europe and the US. Both the Netherlands and Switzerland are providing the strongest growth.

Dublin Airport is having a good year with passenger numbers up by 7 per cent, but regional airports are struggling.

There were increases year on year in all Irish airports in April and May, but that was a result of last year’s ash cloud. Passenger numbers in June have been fairly stagnant.

A recovery in visitor numbers will only occur if the UK market recovers to pre-recession levels, Tourism Ireland has stated in its mid-year Situation and Outlook Analysis and Report (Soar).

The report expresses concern at the stagnation in the British economy and in the poor consumer outlook.

Balanced against that is the fact that there was an increase of 6 per cent in overseas visits by UK residents in the first five months of the year.

The self-catering sector is not performing as strongly with anecdotal evidence suggesting that demand from the UK continues to be weak and there is a lot of late booking.

The global outlook for tourism is good with an estimated worldwide increase in tourists of four to five per cent with growth up by 6 per cent in Europe. But a continuation of that trend remains uncertain because of the economic outlook in many key markets.