Inbound Tourism to Ireland Declines, but North America Shows Growth

July 2023 witnessed a decline in inbound tourism to Ireland, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The data reveals a 1% drop in foreign tourist visitor numbers, totaling 646,400 visitors, alongside a 4% decrease in tourist spending, which fell to €624 million.

One positive aspect amid the overall decline was a significant 13% increase in tourists arriving from North America, with both the United States and Canada contributing to this growth. Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), addressed the mixed performance of the tourism sector, noting the importance of July as a critical month for attracting visitors.

Challenges in the Tourism Sector

While the North American market’s robust performance is encouraging, Walsh pointed to the need for a more balanced demand across various source markets. He emphasized that other regions are not performing as strongly, which poses a challenge for the industry. “Irish tourism and hospitality businesses continue to have a mixed season,” Walsh stated. “We need to spread demand across other source markets and gain more traction in European markets.”

Walsh also highlighted ongoing challenges within the industry, including cost pressures and capacity constraints that hinder overall growth. He expressed hope that these issues would be addressed during the upcoming budget discussions. “With unprecedented macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, now is the time to support a key home-grown indigenous industry such as tourism,” he added.

The ITIC welcomed the alignment of CSO monthly figures with industry data, which is seen as a positive step towards better understanding the tourism landscape in Ireland.

As the summer season unfolds, stakeholders in the tourism sector are looking for solutions to enhance the industry’s performance and attract a diverse range of visitors, ensuring a more resilient future for Irish tourism.