Tourism poised for more growth: Minister

The domestic tourism market is poised for further growth in 2005, according to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue, who today launched Fáilte Ireland’s €3m home market campaign.

Latest CSO figures for the first nine months of 2004 indicate that the domestic market grew by 6% to 2.5 million trips with spend increasing by 9% to €516m by the end of September last.

Fáilte Ireland also launched its new web offering at www.ireland.ie aimed at the domestic tourist market.

The main growth area for domestic holidays was amongst those taking domestic short holidays or breaks of one to three nights which is up more than 7% on last year.

Long holidays of four or more nights increased by almost 4%. The south west, west and south east regions enjoy greatest share, together accounting for 70% of domestic holiday spend.

The south west enjoyed above average growth (+11%) in 2004 with the south east also showing strong growth (+9%). The west recorded growth of +4%. This growth experienced particularly benefited the hotel and self-catering sectors.