Number of overseas visitors down by over 900,000

New figures from the Central Statistics Office today provide evidence of the downturn in Ireland's tourism trade with the number of overseas visitors down by more than 900,000 last year.

There were 911,500 fewer visitors to Ireland in 2009 compared to the previous year, bringing the total down to a four-year low.

The CSO reported 69 million overseas trips to Ireland last year, the lowest since 2005.

The number of British visitors fell by 615,400 – 16%.

The worrying tourism report also showed visitor numbers from other European countries fell by 228,000 and by 24,200 from North America.

“2009 was one of the toughest years for tourism to the island of Ireland, and for tourism worldwide, and the CSO figures issued today reflect the impact on Ireland and on tourism businesses across the island," said Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland.

The tourism body said it was aiming to grow visitor numbers by at least 3% this year.

"A range of campaigns are highlighting the great value on offer as well as compelling reasons to visit," Mr Gibbons said.

"The message is that there has never been a better time to visit the island of Ireland."

Fine Gael tourism spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said the figures were evidence of a "meltdown" in Irish tourism.

“Last year was a year long disaster and it is only by harnessing the opportunities available to us that the slide can be halted," Deputy Mitchell said.

"Unfortunately, considering the lack of priority afforded to tourism by this Fianna Fáil/Green Government, that seems unlikely.”