Visits to Ireland up by 9% last year

The number of tourists visiting Ireland is now back at pre-recession levels —with the last 12 months on a par with the second best year ever.

According to Fáilte Ireland’s annual tourism industry review, Ireland’s tourism sector goes into 2015 in rude health after “spectacular increases” in the last 12 months.

The tourism body pointed out that confidence regarding continued growth is being boosted by “dramatically improving” overseas markets, increased air access, and big ticket offerings like the Wild Atlantic Way.

The number of people visiting Ireland last year grew by 9%, while foreign earnings jumped by 13% to around €400m — the largest increase in a decade.

Much of the success is down the number of American tourists coming here being at an all-time high —with an expected 1.2m visitors expected to have visited by year end.

Similarly, tourists from our biggest overseas market, Britain, grew by 8%. The numbers visiting from mainland Europe grew 7% to some 7.5m — equal to the years before the recession.

The Fáilte Ireland review found that Ireland’s value for money rating among visitors has doubled since 2009, while nine out of 10 holidaymakers expressing satisfaction in Ireland as a destination.

For example, where just 29% of tourists found Ireland good value for money in 2009, it has jumped to 60% this year. Those stating Ireland offered poor value for money has fallen from 41% in 2009 to just 8% this year.

Chairman of Fáilte Ireland Michael Cawley said it was clear that the tourism industry was a leading light in the economic recovery — generating some 5,000 jobs this year alone.

“2014 has been a tremendous year for Irish tourism,” said Mr Cawley. “All markets showed healthy growth and with increases in air access facilitating record numbers from the US and a return to increased visitors from Britain and continental Europe.”

“The substantial increase in revenue from tourism has ensured that the sector has more than played its part in boosting economic recovery. The 5,000 extra tourism jobs created, together with the extra taxation revenue on spending by visitors, represents a major boost to the Irish economy.”

Mr Cawley also praised the Government’s decision to retain the 9% Vat rate as a key reason why Ireland is now seen as a value for money destination.

“While Ireland may never be a cheap holiday destination, we should always strive to provide good value,” he said. “The current growth in overseas visitors and earnings has, in part, been caused by our increased value for money rating, which has doubled in five years.

“This impressive improvement in competitiveness is grounded in the trade’s focus on delivering that value, helped by the Government’s recent decision to keep the 9% Vat rate for the sector.”