Tourism spending in Ireland rises 9% in July as visitors numbers recover 

About 676,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland last month, an increase of 5% when compared with July 2025

In the first seven months of the year, there have been an estimated 3.9 million foreign visitors to Ireland. File picture: Larry Cummins

Tourist spending in Ireland increased by 9% in July as the sector continues to see a recovery in foreign visitors coming to Ireland after a decline in 2025, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.

During the month, about 676,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland, an increase of 5% when compared with July 2025, and up 3% compared with July 2024.

In the first seven months of the year, there have been an estimated 3.9 million foreign visitors to Ireland — an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, and slightly ahead of that period in 2024, up 0.4%.

Expenditure by foreign visitors in July was estimated at €681m, excluding fares, which is up 9% compared with July last year, and up 5% compared to July 2024. When fares are included, this increases to €944m.

Day-to-day spending accounted for €329m, accommodation spending stood at €322m, while prepayments, such as car hire and tickets, accounted for €30m.

Between January and July, tourists to Ireland are estimated to have spent just over €4.5bn combined, which includes their fares. This is up nearly 14% compared to last year, but it is still nearly 2% lower than in 2024.

These visitors stayed a combined total of just less than 5.2 million nights in Ireland — up 2% year-on-year. However, the average length of stay was down marginally to 7.6 nights from 7.9 nights.

Half of visitors said they were coming for a holiday in July while 29% said they were visiting relatives and friends, and 11% said it was for business reasons.

The greatest number of visitors in July came from continental Europe, accounting for 32%, with Britain also accounting for 32%, and North America 30%. Germans accounted for about 45,700 visitors during the month — the largest contingent of visitors from a continental European country.

On average North American visitors spent the most, €300m combined, with continental European visitors spending €209m. British visitors spent €127m, while visitors from the rest of the world spent €45m.

In total, 2,439,700 passengers departed Ireland on overseas routes in July, a 2% increase, with 60% of those being Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes.

Earlier this week, the tourism group Irish Tourism Industry Confederation called for the reduced 9% Vat rate to be extended in the upcoming budget to certain segments of their sector including camping and caravans, attractions and adventure.

The group said the measure would cost €17.6m and “enhance” their competitiveness and sustainability in a “challenging environment”.

The report noted that in 2025, the attractions sector employed 6,615 people and is estimated to have €458m in revenue.

This comes after the reduced 9% Vat rate for food-led hospitality businesses came into effect at the start of July. This measure is expected to cost the exchequer €232m through the remainder of this year and €681m throughout a full year.