Record €6bn spent on holidays abroad by Irish in 2007

HOLIDAY spending last year smashed the €6 billion barrier after Irish holiday-makers and travellers jetted off on a record 7.7 million overseas trips in 2007.

The fastest growing destination for Irish holiday-makers and others heading overseas was continental Europe last year, according to new figures.

In 2007 the number of visits by people heading to mainland Europe was 4,580,000, up 716,000 or 18.5% on the year before.

North America saw a rise of 14% in the number of trips made by visitors from Ireland, up 54,000 to 441,000.

Visits to Britain rose 4.3% to 2,691,000, making it Ireland’s largest single destination.

Last year the amount of money spent by the Irish on trips abroad came to a record €6.2bn, up 15.9% or €843m on the €5.3bn spent in 2006.

The amount of money spent by tourists and other visitors to Ireland in 2007 was also a record at €4.91bn, up €212m on the €4.69bn in 2006.

Yesterday Tourism Minister Séamus Brennan said Ireland’s growing tourism industry was vital to the economy — as was the €4.91bn spent tourists from overseas.

“The value of tourism to the Irish economy cannot be overstated particularly at a time when some other sectors may not be performing as vigorously as in the past,” he said.

“By any standards €4.91bn is an impressive contribution to the Irish economy and represents an increase of 4.5% on the 2006 amount.”

Irish residents who go on holiday in Ireland spend about €1.6bn, making the domestic tourism market worth €6.5bn.

“Tourism has been a solid and consistent contributor to the economy over many years,” said Mr Brennan.

“With 2008 likely to be a challenging year (for the economy) it is important all involved in the industry redouble their efforts to ensure we continue to grow this vitally important industry.”

The difference in the amounts spent by tourists here and by the Irish overseas resulted in a deficit of €1.26bn, meaning more money left the country than came in last year.

In 2007 overseas visitors made 8,017,000 trips to Ireland with almost 60% of trips were made by people from Britain.

Trips to Ireland by visitors from North America was up 3.6% to 668,000 and visits by residents of Continental Europe were up 18% to 2,577,000.