Hiking and walking seen as tourist sector growth areas
Of the 1.9 million hikers, some 860,000 were domestic holidaymakers with the remainder travellers to Ireland from overseas.
Activity tourism is a major source of revenue to the economy in recent years. According to Fáilte Ireland, it was worth €1.2 billion to the economy in 2008, with €650 million generated by overseas markets and €540m from the domestic market.
The average spend of overseas visitors engaging in activities was 38% higher than the average overseas visitor.
Hiking and walking are by far the most popular activity pursuits by domestic and overseas tourists.
Last year, some 831,000 overseas visitors and 860,000 domestic holidaymakers went hiking/cross-country walking. However, the number of overseas tourists who walked off-road, for more than 5 kilometres on average, is around 400,000 and they spent an estimated €183m.
Holidaymakers who stated that walking was an important factor in their choice of Ireland as a holiday destination number 366,000 and they spent an estimated €215m while in Ireland in 2009.
Overseas tourists who come to hike and walk in Ireland also express the highest levels of quality and price while visiting here.
Angling is the next popular activity pursuit here with an estimated 132,000 overseas visitors coming to fish here, contributing approximately €105m to the economy.
Product officer with Fáilte Ireland Ciara Scully said the number of visitors walking and hiking offered the biggest potential for growth in the tourist sector in the coming years.
“Most visitors when they come want to see the scenery and meet people in an authentic rural setting and walking and hiking offers that.
“We have seen a huge increase year on year in the past five years and that is directly in correlation to the improved product we can now offer.
“There are over 200 looped walks all across the country now and people are clearly taking advantage of them and enjoying the experience,” she said.
