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.