Advertisement

Tourism Industry now worth €8.7bn to Irish economy

The Irish tourism industry is now worth €8.7bn to the economy after yet another record year....
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.55 28 Dec 2017


Share this article


Tourism Industry now worth €8....

Tourism Industry now worth €8.7bn to Irish economy

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.55 28 Dec 2017


Share this article


The Irish tourism industry is now worth €8.7bn to the economy after yet another record year.

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has said that overseas visitors spent nearly €5bn in the country last year – an increase of 6%.

The umbrella body representing Irish tourism interests is predicting further growth in 2018 – but has warned against complacency with Brexit continuing to cast a dark shadow in the years ahead.

Advertisement

ITIC chief executive, Eoghan O'Mara Walshe said that number of international visitors is continuing to rise - and they are also spending more while they are here:

Tourism Industry now worth €8.7bn to Irish economy

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

“2017 has been a very strong year for Irish tourism, I mean overall the sector is worth €8.7bn,” he said.

“We had 8.9 million international visitors to our shores this year, that is 3% up in terms of volume – in terms of footfall – and 6% up in terms of revenue.

“So, it is a really important sector for Ireland at the moment; it employs 230,000 people right around the country.”

He said American tourists spend on average just over €700 while they are in Ireland:

“Spending is up 6% compared to last year,” he said.

“Overall, international visitors spent just shy of €5bn in the country - €4.9bn.

“The markets that are further afield spent that bit more because they tend to spend longer in the country.

“So for example, the average American spent about €730 when they were here on holiday whereas the average British person spent under €300.”

Despite the encouraging figures, the UK market continues to decline in the wake of the Brexit vote:

“The only, if you like, cloud this year has been that of the British market and Brexit,” said Mr O'Mara Walshe.

“The British market is unfortunately down 7% so that is a concern but other markets such as America and Europe have performed very strongly.”

The tourism sector now employs 230,000 people nationwide. 


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular