November tourism figures up 13%

In November, 460,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in — representing an increase of around 52,600 compared to November 2024. 

Visitor numbers to Ireland saw a strong rebound in November with a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024, but figures for the year still lag well behind, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.

In November, 460,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in — representing an increase of around 52,600 compared to November 2024 and a 3% increase compared to November 2023.

These visitors spent €347m on their trips, excluding fares, which is up 10%. On average, each person spent €754 when fares were excluded. This included €310 on accommodation, and €417 on day-to-day expenses, and €26 on prepayments.

Combined, these visitors stayed for a total of 2.8 million nights in the country, an increase of 12% year-on-year but down 8% compared to November 2023.

Statistician with the CSO Edward Duffy said in November the greatest number of visitors came from Britain, accounting for 41% of all visitors, followed by continental Europe, accounting for 34%, and North America, accounting for 20%. The rest of the world accounted for 5%.

Year-on-year, the number of visitors from Britain is up 7%, while visitor numbers from continental Europe grew 13% and North America rose 23%.

The leading purposes of travel to Ireland were for holidays and visits to friends and relatives, each accounting for 34%.

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In terms of outbound travel, the CSO said there were over 1.5 million passengers who left Ireland on overseas routes in November 2025, a 9% increase compared with November 2024.

The majority of departing passengers, 61.7%, were Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes. A further 8.6% were same-day visitors, comprising Northern Ireland residents heading outbound via an airport or seaport in Ireland.

While the visitor numbers improved during the month, in the 11 months to the end of November the total number of visitors is still down compared to 2024 with just under 5.9 million travelling here — a decrease of 5% compared with just over 6.2 million the year prior.

The total spend during this period was also down. In total, visitors to Ireland spent just over €5bn — 11% lower than the estimated spend of €5.7bn from January to November 2024.