Varadkar claims Gathering initiative is reason behind surge in tourism figures

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has said the Government’s Gathering initiative is gaining pace, after the number of visitors to Ireland surged in the first three months of this year.

CSO figures revealed show a 1.25 million trips were made to Ireland between January and March from destinations across the globe. The figure is up 86,600, or 7.4%, compared with the same period in 2012. It is the best opening to a year since 2009. Short visits home by recent emigrants forced to leave Ireland are likely to partially account for the upsurge.

However, state bodies are heralding the figures as proof that the Gathering is working.

“These figures suggest the Gathering is having a real impact, with visitor numbers for the first three months up 7.4% compared to the first quarter in 2013,” said Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar, who was supported by Fáilte Ireland.

CSO figures show:

* Trips from North America are up 168,800, or 16.7% against the first three months of last year;

* Trips from the continental EU are up 444,000, or 13%;

* Trips from Britain are up 570,200, or 1.4%;

* Trips from all other regions are up 68,700, or 5.4%.

The CSO said Ireland is popular with Britons, Belgians, Dutch, Germans, French, Italians, and Scandinavians. However, it has also noted trips from three of the most common Irish emigration spots — Britain, North America and Australia — have seen some of the largest journey increases.

Since 2010, the number of people arriving from these locations in the first three months of a year has risen from 526,600 to 570,200; 137,300 to 168,800; and 19,200 to 26,200. The number of Irish travelling abroad for holidays fell between January and March compared with previous years, with a 2.1% drop.

Meanwhile, one of the Gathering’s flagship events, Cork Rebel Week, is seeking a charity partner. The partner, which must provide up to 300 volunteers on Oct 16, will be chosen based on its connection to the Munster region and on how it plans to spend the money.

Interested charities can register at www.corkrebelweek2013.com or call 021 428 5998 by May 8.