Covid cost to the Irish tourism sector priced at €13.4bn

Government must now bet big on tourism in Budget 2022, say sector leaders in wake of shutdown that cost 100,000 jobs

The loss of inbound tourism, during the Covid crisis, has cost Irish tourism an estimated €13.4bn.

Tourism bosses have estimated the Covid crisis has cost the industry more than €13bn and have branded next month’s budget as being “make or break” for the sector’s chances of a meaningful recovery.

In its pre-budget submission, the sector’s main representative group, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), said a full recovery of the industry and overseas visitor numbers is possible by 2025.