Visitor numbers to country's top attractions still lag pre-covid levels

Numbers visiting attractions fell to 19.5 million last year compared to 22.9 million in 2019

'Visitor attractions this year have felt the harsh impact of many factors, including the lack of accommodation availability at a range of prices, coupled with a summer of poor weather, and shorter stays by overseas visitors.'

Visitor numbers at many of the country’s top attractions still lag well behind levels seen before the pandemic, with 19.5 million recorded last year, a new industry survey has shown.

The survey was conducted by Ireland’s Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA). Based on the data, which included members and non-members accounting for 53% of all attractions in Ireland — the association estimated these attractions received an estimated 19.5 million visitors in 2023.

In 2019, 22.9 million were found to have visited these attractions.

Of those surveyed, 44% had annual revenue of less than €1m, while another 24% had revenue of between €1m and €2.5m. The remaining 32% had revenue of over €2.5m.

The majority of attractions earning less than €1m, 52%, are located outside of Dublin while just 30% of respondents in Dublin earn less than €1m a year. At the other end of the scale, 52% of Dublin-based respondents earn more than €2.5m compared to 22% of those outside Dublin.

Average ticket prices during last year rose by 5%.

Chief executive of AVEA Catherine Flanagan said the industry was “still in a period of transition” following the pandemic.

“Visitor attractions this year have felt the harsh impact of many factors, including the lack of accommodation availability at a range of prices, coupled with a summer of poor weather, and shorter stays by overseas visitors,” she said.

“We will be lobbying the Government for more support in the upcoming budget, to recognise the accelerated costs of business, for the Vat rate to be reduced to 9%, for the economic value of tourism to be recognised, and for access blockages to be addressed.” 

In its report, the AVEA said 97% of those businesses that responded anticipated increased visitor numbers in 2024, with slightly more (99%) expecting increased revenue.

AVEA said its member visitor attractions employ more than 6,400 people and generated an estimated €362 million in revenues in 2023.