Ireland bucks European tourist trend with rise in tourist numbers

THE number of tourists visiting Ireland has increased this summer despite early indications it would be a disastrous season for the industry.

Fáilte Ireland figures show the number of British, American and continental European visitors has risen by up to 7% in the past year. This bucks the trend for European tourism figures overall, which show a sharp decline of 5%. Home holidays have also shown an improvement.

However, the increase in visitor numbers has not been matched by a rise in room and bed occupancy rates, which continue to fall with B&Bs hit particularly hard.

Similarly, although the number of US visitors to Ireland is up on last year, it is still down on the bumper year 2000 and has not yet recovered to pre-September 11 figures.

Nevertheless, a spokesperson for Bord Fáilte described the trend as “encouraging” and suggested the industry would improve further next year.

Domestic tourism figures have shown a marked improvement over 2002.

“The early indications are that the numbers of Irish people holidaying at home this year is also strong following the good summer weather,” said the spokesperson.

The latest figures indicate the number of overseas visitors during the first seven months of the year increased by between 3% and 4% when compared with the same period in 2002.

John Brown of Fáilte Ireland said the figures showed a positive trend in a difficult year.

“The figures show a healthy performance despite some panic at the start. Home holidays also performed very well during the summer,” he said.

Mr Brown said the reason lower percentage occupancy rates appeared to contradict the overall improvement was due to a number of factors, including the increase in new visitor accommodation, a trend towards shorter stays and hotel special offers.

“More and more people are tending to take short breaks. The days of the once a year holiday are over. Many people now take a number of breaks in the year and this is part of an international trend. People also tend to plan ahead less and the industry will have to learn to adapt to this.”

The Tourism Barometer survey conducted by Fáilte Ireland in June reported that the major issues affecting tourism performance were high prices and political and economic uncertainty internationally. Their next survey is due to be completed early next week.