Tourism facing a ‘cautious passage’ after rise in latest visitor numbers

TRAVEL and tourism are likely to face a cautious passage into 2012 because of recent economic turmoil, according to Tourism Ireland.

The organisation, which promotes Ireland overseas, was commenting on latest overseas figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing that visitor numbers in the 10 months to October are up by 7.4%.

The increase follows a 13.6% drop in visitors in 2010 and a decrease of 11.7% in 2009.

There was a 5.3% increase in trips from Britain and a 7.4% increase in trips from north America, in the first 10 months of this year.

The increase in British travellers follows a 16% decrease in each of the previous two years.

Tourism Ireland chief executive, Niall Gibbons, said recent economic turmoil had increased uncertainty, affecting business and consumer confidence and, in turn, international travel.

“Given the scale of the challenges facing the global economy right now, travel and tourism look likely to face a fairly cautious passage into 2012,” he said.

Mr Gibbons said people still wanted to take holidays but were taking shorter trips, staying closer to home and being careful with their money.

Kerry Fine Gael TD, Brendan Griffin, said boosting winter tourism would help to counteract seasonal unemployment peaks in the country.

He said: “If we take a closer look at last month’s figures, we can see that the tourism-dependent towns like Killarney, Kenmare, Dingle and Caherciveen have all been hit by a jump in the live register.

“This is clearly as a result of the end of the traditional summer season.”

Mr Griffin said year-round options to prospective visitors to Kerry should be highlighted.

“Kerry, with its incredible natural landscape, has huge potential to capitalise on the adventure sports and outdoor holiday market, which extends far beyond the holiday season,” he added.

Trips by Irish people overseas fell by just over 4% over the 10-month period in 2011 after a 6% decrease in 2010 and a 10.4% drop in 2009.

President of the Irish Travel Agents Association, Pat Dawson, said an increase in business of between 3% and 4% was expected in 2012.

He said advance bookings and inquiries this month were heartening and corporate travel business was booming.

Mr Dawson said corporate travel agents had experienced a 15%-20% increase in corporate business in the past year.

“This increase in business is related to Irish companies chasing business overseas and reflects the growth in exports from the country,” he said.

Mr Dawson said the European Football Championship taking place in Poland and the Ukraine would also play its part in boosting overseas travel figures.