ireland tourism sector

• Ireland's Ancient East
• Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
• Wild Atlantic Way
• Regional Development Strategies
• Climate Action Programme
• Product Development
• Commercial Development
• Tourism Careers
• Registration and Grading
• Keep Discovering
• Ireland's Content Pool
• Fáilte Ireland's Event Portal
• Manage your listing

Browse all research categories

• Consumer sentiment reports
• Tourism facts and figures
• Accommodation facts and figures
• Interactive Dashboards
• Activities and attractions
• Economic analysis
• Regional facts and figures
• Fáilte Focus

Contact us if you have a query for the Fáilte Ireland Research team

Find research & insights

Keep up-to-date on research and statistics from the Irish tourism industry.

Consumer Sentiment Reports

Read the latest Consumer Insights reports and learn more about customer behaviour

Accommodation Reports

Access the latest accommodation reports covering performance, supply and sector reviews.

Domestic Travel Motivations

Read the latest information in relation to domestic travel motivations.

Facts and Figures

Get the latest on tourism performance in Ireland and learn more about industry trends

Fáilte Focus

Browse our curated library of both Fáilte Ireland research and the best third party reports and articles

Economic Analysis

Access the latest economic analysis reports relevant to the tourism industry.

Latest publications

Cumulative Impact of Changes to Payroll Costs on Business Operations

An analysis of key changes in employment costs arising from recent government policies and the impact they will have on the tourism and hospitality industries.

Debt Warehousing in Tourism

An analysis of the Government’s Covid-related Debt Warehousing programme from the perspective of the tourism sector.

Residents’ Attitudes towards Tourism in Ireland

As part of its plans to drive sustainable tourism development across Ireland, Fáilte Ireland has conducted research among Irish communities to understand public views on tourism. This summary outlines the main findings

Air Access: Planned Capacity to ROI by Key Markets (Q1 & Q2 2024)

This report focuses on planned seat capacity (as of March 2024) from key markets to Irish regional airports for Q1 and Q2 2024, compared to 2023.

Fáilte Ireland Hotel Survey December 2023

The Hotel Survey report provides key performance data, room and bed occupancy rates, Average Daily Rates (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) of Irish hotels at a national and county (where available) level in December 2023.

  Skip navigation

• Births, Deaths & Marriages
• Crime and Justice
• Social Conditions
• Information Society
• Housing and Households
• Labour Market
• Agriculture
• Building and Construction
• Digital Economy
• Enterprise Statistics
• International Enterprises
• People in Business
• Retail and Services
• Small and Medium Enterprises
• Technology and Innovation
• Tourism and Travel
• International Accounts
• National Accounts
• Government Accounts
• External Trade
• Key Economic Indicators
• IMF Summary Data Page
• Agri-Environment
• Ecosystem Accounts
• Environment Accounts
• Water and Waste Water
• General Statistical Publications A-Z of Releases and Publications
• Show Survey

Statistical Releases - Tourism and Travel

• Overseas Travel
• Household Travel Survey
• Visitors to Ireland and Northern Ireland
• Air and Sea Travel Statistics
• Intention to Travel Survey
• Travel Behaviour Trends
• Sustainable Mobility and Transport
• Passenger Mobility and Road Safety
• National Travel Survey
• Impact of COVID-19 on Travel Behaviour
• Inbound Tourism
• Irish Tourism Sector 2019 (Tourism Satellite Account)

Central Statistics Office Skehard Road, Cork T12 X00E, Ireland

• © 2023
• Freedom of Information
• Accessibility
• Data Protection & Transparency
• Privacy Statement

You can count on a rewarding career with the CSO.

Learn about our variety of roles and the benefits of working with the CSO.

Minister Martin welcomes Tourism Recovery Plan

From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media  

Published on 6 October 2020

Last updated on 8 October 2020

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, today (6 October 2020) welcomed the publication of the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020 - 2023 from the Tourism Recovery Taskforce.

Tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in the current pandemic. COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on employment and the viability of thousands of businesses in Irish tourism. A Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed in May to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan including recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis.

As part of its work, the Taskforce undertook a widespread stakeholder consultation process which was very helpful in generating ideas and inputs for its final report. The Taskforce has now completed its work and its Chairperson, Ms. Ruth Andrews, submitted the Recovery Plan to the Minister last week. The Plan was noted by Government earlier today. You can view the plan in full here.

The Taskforce makes a number of recommendations, both to help ensure the survival of tourism businesses and jobs and also to help the sector to stabilise and recover in the years to come. Within this, it has identified a number of priority recommendations aimed at ensuring the survival of tourism businesses and jobs, in areas such as:

• business continuity grants and additional operational supports for enterprises
• professional development supports for workers in the sector
• liquidity measures to support vulnerable but viable businesses
• facilitating the resumption of inbound international tourism
• improving competitiveness through a VAT reduction and actions to improve the cost and supply of insurance
• increased domestic and overseas marketing expenditure

Commenting on the report, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD stated:

"I very much welcome the Recovery Plan submitted by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and thank each and every member of the Taskforce for their time, expertise and commitment in this hugely difficult time. I met with the Taskforce in one of my first days in office and was struck both by the members’ dedication and also the seriousness of the situation facing tourism. I have since met with the Chairperson, Ruth Andrews, on a couple of occasions and have been kept informed as to progress.

"The Taskforce was tasked with coming up with recommendations that can help the tourism sector to survive the crisis and recover in a stable manner. Its Recovery Plan will be hugely beneficial to me and my colleagues in Government as we examine ways to help the tourism sector emerge from the very difficult position in which it finds itself. I note in particular the Taskforce’s assessment that, of the 260,000 jobs in the sector prior to the pandemic, 180,000 jobs are either lost or vulnerable. I am under no illusions about the scale of the challenge and the many competing priorities facing Government. However, as we work towards the Budget and the National Economic Plan, I will be pushing hard for further support for the sector following on from the measures I introduced as part of the July Stimulus package."

Ruth Andrews, Chairperson of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, added:

"I am delighted that the Tourism Recovery Taskforce has completed our work and submitted the Recovery Plan to the Minister. I must give a huge thanks to my colleagues on the Taskforce who committed so much time and effort in a period which was so difficult and full of uncertainty. I would also like to thank all those who made submissions during the consultation stage, all of which were a significant influence on the Taskforce’s deliberations.

"The impact of COVID-19 on tourism has been existential, devastating employment, businesses and livelihoods across the sector. Nevertheless, even in these incredibly difficult times, I and my colleagues on the Taskforce are confident that the Irish tourism industry can recover and develop as a world leader in sustainable tourism practices.

"Tourism is as integral to the national economic recovery now as it was in the last recession. The sector is uniquely positioned to contribute strongly to job creation and reversing unemployment in communities and among the young throughout the country. This recovery provides an opportunity to strengthen the industry and reaffirm the importance of the sector as an economic driver and export led industry.

"Taking the necessary action now can save and restore jobs and income and avoid the need for long-term State intervention to support those left behind by the crisis. The TRT strongly believes that with the right investment and support, particularly in the survival phase, tourism can retain capacity, skills and strategic assets that will strengthen the pace of recovery when restrictions are eased to enable international tourism. We look forward to working with Government to make this happen."

• Tourism Recovery Taskforce

Tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in the current crisis. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism globally has been overwhelming and immediate with unprecedented consequences for Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sector. The pandemic and the consequential public health measures have devastated the sector here and it is estimated that, of 260,000 jobs in the sector prior to COVID-19, 180,000 are either lost or vulnerable.

A Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed in May to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which includes a set of recommendations on how best the Irish Tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis.

The Taskforce comprised an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy, tourism enterprise, international, private and public service. The membership of the Taskforce is as follows:

• Ruth Andrews, Taskforce Chair, CEO of ITOA Ireland and Chair of ITIC
• Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Director, Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel and Spa, Adare Co. Limerick. Since Feb 2020 President of the IHF
• Eimear Killian, General Manager of “Brasserie on the Corner” Restaurant, Galway
• John Kelly, (Acting) Head of Tourism and Sport, D/TCAGSM
• Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland (National Tourism Development Authority)
• Niall Gibbons, CEO Tourism Ireland (Overseas marketing agency)
• Stephen Kavanagh, Board member and former CEO of Aer Lingus; current board member of aircraft leasing company CDB Aviation
• Jane Stacey, Head of the Tourism Unit in the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities
• John Herlihy, VP EMEA and LATAM at LinkedIn
• Pat O’Leary, chair of Kerry Tourism Industry Federation; former MD of International Maritime Division, Liebherr Group
• Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council
• Eoghan Corry, Travel industry commentator and broadcaster
• Martin Dalby, CEO, Center Parcs
• John McLaughlin, CEO, North & West Coast Links Golf

The Taskforce has been highly engaged in the period since its establishment with a view to drawing up its report:

• it met sixteen times in total up to the end of September
• it submitted an Initial Report to the Minister in June recommending a number of measures to help save jobs and businesses across the tourism sector until the end of 2020 – this report informed the consideration of the July Stimulus package
• it held a public consultation in June which attracted a total of 813 responses as well as 60 separate submissions by interested parties, many of whom presented directly to the Taskforce
• it set up a number of discrete workstreams led by TRT members and including external experts to examine particular areas of importance for the survival and recovery of tourism. These workstreams identified draft recommendations which were sent forward to the full TRT for consideration for its final report

The Taskforce has now completed its work and the Chair has presented the report to the Minster. The Plan makes a number of recommendations to help tourism businesses to survive, stabilise and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. These are set out hereunder:

Summary of Recovery Plan Recommendations

Immediate priority recommendations for survival, supporting business survival.

Modify existing or introduce new measures to help those tourism businesses significantly impacted by public health measures to survive the current crisis and be in a position to fast-track and contribute to a sustainable recovery, as follows:

• adjust the Employee Wage Support Scheme so that businesses struggling to retain employees can avail of the subsidy rates which applied for the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme based on a scale of income reduction
• deliver business continuity grants of €120 million to enable key strategic tourism businesses survive the crisis with a focus on those with the greatest reduction in turnover in 2020
• extend and modify the COVID-19 Adaptation Fund by €30 million to facilitate flexibility, such as increased outdoor dining capacity, in the context of the Living with COVID-19 Plan
• invest €50 million Exchequer funding in 2021 to be combined with a €100 million credit facility from ISIF to create a €150 million Tourism specific loan scheme to be jointly administered by Fáilte Ireland and ISIF to allow long term viable but short term vulnerable tourism businesses to survive until demand returns

Enhancing Sustainable Employment

Introduce a €10 million programme of professional development supports with strong digital content to keep those laid off or on reduced working hours engaged in the tourism sector to ensure that skilled workers are available to drive the recovery in the sector.

Re-Establishing International Access

• facilitate the resumption of overseas tourism into Ireland as soon as is practicable and in line with public health guidance by identifying and communicating a targeted reopening date
• the removal of the period of quarantine for arrivals and its replacement by a comprehensive, rapid test, track and isolate (TTI) system or a system more facilitative for inbound tourism
• Government should actively develop and fully commit to the forthcoming EU 'traffic light' system that aims to open up international travel across Europe

Strengthening Marketing Investment

• increase domestic marketing spend from €10 million to €30 million in 2021 to drive demand for home holidays throughout the year
• double the overseas tourism marketing fund from €47 million to €94 million to help protect Ireland’s existing brand position internationally and kick-start the recovery in inbound tourism. Evidence shows that early and increased investment following previous downturns yielded significant market share gains for Ireland

Promoting Competitiveness

• reduce VAT rate for tourism and hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9% with immediate effect
• introduce legislation and regulatory measures to increase supply and reduce the costs of insurance. These should inter-alia include protecting businesses from unwarranted and excessive claims through re-defining ‘occupiers’ duty of care, revising guidelines on levels of claims, and acting quickly on any CCPC recommendations to enhance competition in the sector

TRT Recommendations for Stabilisation and Recovery

• increase and spread domestic demand for holidays by varying the timing of school holidays in different areas of the country to take advantage of capacity
• consider the merits of introducing an additional bank holiday in the off-peak season
• strengthen Fáilte Ireland’s Careers Oversight Group and formalise a relationship with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure programme development and coordination of tourism education and training
• develop National Tourism Education Gateway as a one stop shop access to education for all tourism employees
• ensure consistency in terms of quality and content of education and training provided by education providers engaged in the tourism sector in consultation with industry to meet adapting needs and trends

Re-establishing International Access

• implement an assurance domestic guarantee for inbound leisure and business, with industry committing to return deposits / allow flexibility for people to change their date of travel, and Government providing backstop in case of business failure
• a Temporary Incentive Scheme to be immediately introduced by all airports and ports in Ireland to incentivise additional traffic
• implement a €92 million Industry Activation Fund over three years for extensive overseas sales and marketing activities by the industry, to replace lost spend by industry stakeholders and protect inbound operators ‘strategic assets’ in vital supply and distribution channels

Increasing Investment in Tourism Product

• undertake a comprehensive review of Ireland’s tourism product to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities and impediments to inform future investment in the development of the visitor offering
• focus Government investment in tourism capital projects on improving product quality and innovation, and the development and enhancement of cultural and heritage experiences to attract a wide range of visitors to Ireland
• establish a co-ordination body to oversee a consistent approach to the investment in and operation, management and marketing of Ireland’s state owned natural, cultural and heritage assets
• as part of the development of the proposed National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Government should introduce new measures to facilitate access to public and private lands
• invest in a small number of major international festivals and events which will act as a demand driver for both domestic and overseas tourism
• establish a department led steering group to oversee the development of a Global Invitation Programme (the Year of the Invitation) to stimulate additional international demand. The programme should ideally incorporate six to ten large scale events capable of attracting significant international audiences
• fund and implement the development of a Tourism Satellite Account as a matter of urgency
• develop schemes to enable the tourism sector to invest in digital technology, with a particular focus on sectors with low digital presence such as visitor attractions and activities
• strengthen Ireland's international competitiveness in Asia and developing markets by offering a free 90-day visa waiver programme for short term holiday visits and a once off/one year promotion of a free 5 year visa application to encourage repeat visits
• develop a Competitive Balanced Scorecard to enable the setting of wide-ranging targets to support policy objective delivery and competitive benchmarking

Building a Sustainable Tourism Industry

• Ireland should have the ambition to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices. The Sustainable Tourism Working Group should develop a suite of actions to promote the sustainable development of tourism by the end of 2020, which should underpin the development of a sustainable tourism policy to be adopted by the government
• schemes and supports which promote the concept of and business case for sustainable tourism both at the enterprise level and the consumer level should be identified for implementation during the sustainability and recovery phase, for example Origin Green

Overseeing Implementation of the Plan

Establish an independently chaired Recovery Oversight Group to monitor the implementation of the recommendations in this report and monitor the sector’s recovery.

Do not include any personal details in the box below. The information you submit will be analysed to improve the site and will not be responded to individually.

• Consultations
• Publications
• About gov.ie
• Accessibility
• Latest financial accounts
• Privacy policy
• Who does what

Tourism in Ireland

Development of the tourism sector in ireland from 1995 to 2019.

Revenues from tourism

All data for Ireland in detail

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Ireland 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to gdp in ireland in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros).

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

2019 and 2022

figures are in constant 2022 prices and exchange rates as of March 2023

Other statistics on the topic

• Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Ireland 2019-2022
• Number of domestic tourist trips in Ireland 2012-2022

Art & Culture

• Most visited paid tourist attractions in Ireland 2021, by attendance

Accommodation

• Number of hotels and similar accommodation in Ireland 2006-2019
• Immediate access to statistics, forecasts & reports
• Usage and publication rights
• Download in various formats

You only have access to basic statistics.

• Instant access  to 1m statistics
• Download  in XLS, PDF & PNG format
• Detailed  references

Business Solutions including all features.

Statistics on " Travel and tourism in Ireland "

• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Ireland 2019-2022
• Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Ireland 2019-2022, by type
• Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Ireland 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2019
• Average daily expenditure on tourism in Ireland 2019, by tourist type
• Industry revenue of “travel agency, tour operator, reservation service“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism revenue in Ireland 2020
• Estimated impact of COVID-19 on tourism revenue in Ireland 2020, by sector
• Estimated number of tourism jobs lost due to COVID-19 in Ireland 2020, by sector
• International tourism receipts in Ireland 2011-2022
• Number of overseas travel arrivals in Ireland 2019-2021, by mode
• Number of inbound tourist visits to Ireland 2012-2019
• Number of inbound tourists in Ireland 2018-2019, by country
• Number of overseas tourist visits in Ireland 2019, by region
• Inbound tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2019
• Overseas vacationers in Ireland 2019, by age
• Share of overseas tourists in Ireland in 2019, by month of arrival
• Domestic tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2022
• Number of outbound tourist trips from Ireland 2013-2022
• Outbound tourism expenditure in Ireland 2013-2022
• Share of people intending to travel in Ireland April 2021, by destination and period
• Industry revenue of “accommodation and food service activities“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Industry revenue of “accommodation“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Industry revenue of “hotels and similar accommodation“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Number of travel accommodation establishments in Ireland 2011-2021
• Number of rooms in accommodation premises in Ireland in 2019, by type
• Number of hotel rooms in Ireland 2010-2021
• Hotel bedroom occupancy rates in Ireland 2012-2019
• Number of overseas travelers engaging in outdoor activities in Ireland 2019
• Preferred activities by domestic vacationers in Ireland 2019
• Most visited free tourist attractions in Ireland 2021, by attendance

Other statistics that may interest you Travel and tourism in Ireland

• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Ireland 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Ireland 2019-2022, by type
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Ireland 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Premium Statistic Tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2019
• Premium Statistic Average daily expenditure on tourism in Ireland 2019, by tourist type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Ireland 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Industry revenue of “travel agency, tour operator, reservation service“ in Ireland 2012-2025

COVID-19 impact

• Premium Statistic Estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism revenue in Ireland 2020
• Premium Statistic Estimated impact of COVID-19 on tourism revenue in Ireland 2020, by sector
• Premium Statistic Estimated number of tourism jobs lost due to COVID-19 in Ireland 2020, by sector
• Premium Statistic International tourism receipts in Ireland 2011-2022

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of overseas travel arrivals in Ireland 2019-2021, by mode
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist visits to Ireland 2012-2019
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourists in Ireland 2018-2019, by country
• Premium Statistic Number of overseas tourist visits in Ireland 2019, by region
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2019
• Premium Statistic Overseas vacationers in Ireland 2019, by age
• Premium Statistic Share of overseas tourists in Ireland in 2019, by month of arrival

Domestic and outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic tourist trips in Ireland 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Ireland 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourist trips from Ireland 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure in Ireland 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of people intending to travel in Ireland April 2021, by destination and period
• Premium Statistic Industry revenue of “accommodation and food service activities“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Premium Statistic Industry revenue of “accommodation“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Premium Statistic Industry revenue of “hotels and similar accommodation“ in Ireland 2012-2025
• Basic Statistic Number of travel accommodation establishments in Ireland 2011-2021
• Premium Statistic Number of rooms in accommodation premises in Ireland in 2019, by type
• Basic Statistic Number of hotels and similar accommodation in Ireland 2006-2019
• Basic Statistic Number of hotel rooms in Ireland 2010-2021
• Basic Statistic Hotel bedroom occupancy rates in Ireland 2012-2019

Tourist activities and visitor attractions

• Premium Statistic Number of overseas travelers engaging in outdoor activities in Ireland 2019
• Premium Statistic Preferred activities by domestic vacationers in Ireland 2019
• Premium Statistic Most visited free tourist attractions in Ireland 2021, by attendance
• Premium Statistic Most visited paid tourist attractions in Ireland 2021, by attendance

Further related statistics

• Premium Statistic Tourism share of GDP in Sweden 2015-2021
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Russia 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Iceland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Denmark 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Croatia 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Sweden 2017, by type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Finland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Denmark 2017, by type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Hungary 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Total tourism contribution to GDP in Denmark 2019-2021
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Norway 2017, by type
• Premium Statistic Impact of tourism on the economy in Poland 2018
• Premium Statistic Tourism contribution to GDP in MENA 2020, by country
• Basic Statistic Main nationalities of tourists arriving in Seychelles 2020

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• Tourism share of GDP in Sweden 2015-2021
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Russia 2019-2023
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Iceland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Denmark 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Croatia 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Sweden 2017, by type
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Finland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Denmark 2017, by type
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Hungary 2012-2028
• Total tourism contribution to GDP in Denmark 2019-2021
• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Norway 2017, by type
• Impact of tourism on the economy in Poland 2018
• Tourism contribution to GDP in MENA 2020, by country
• Main nationalities of tourists arriving in Seychelles 2020

'The weather is a big issue': Rain among the many challenges facing Ireland's tourism businesses

David Walsh at the Force Awakens, which will begin trips to Skellig Michael in May. Picture: Alan Landers

On May 11, the Force Awakens will awaken. David Walsh's boat to Skellig Micheal will be among the number of vessels starting a new season, setting off for the Unesco World Heritage Site — weather permitting. And whatever you do, don't be a late.

"There is no such thing as a set departure time for Skellig Micheal," David says. 

His boat — named Force Awakens — is based out of Ballinskelligs, the only Skellig boat to leave from that point. The other boatmen depart from Portmagee and Caherdaniel and they too are geared up for the new season. According to David, if you have to be on board for departure at 4.30pm, don't show up at 4.35.

It's a point made with some degree of seriousness. "There is not too much room to stay in," David says of some of the accommodation stock in the different departure points. 

Due to the war in Ukraine, many tourist areas now have longer-term residents, and while local communities stress they are happy to welcome them in, it does put heightened pressure on beds during the summer. 

For David, someone aiming for Skellig who might normally be staying in Portmagee but who may now have to travel from slightly further afield needs to watch the clock. 

"That is a big issue," he says. 

"Departure times can change at any time."

Accommodation supply a 'challenge'

Further down the Wild Atlantic Way, they are also preparing for the coming season in Bantry in West Cork. According to Eileen O’Shea, chairperson of Bantry Development and Tourism Association, the supply of accommodation is a "challenge". One hotel in town, the Bantry Bay, has recently switched to providing haven for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country.

"The accommodation is definitely challenging for the sector for the last two years, both from hotel side and particularly from the self-catering side," Eileen says. 

"We really notice that there is a real shortage of self-catering in West Cork. A lot of people let the houses out to the Ukrainians now. Individual houses have left them out long term. That is all around the Wild Atlantic Way."

Bantry is a hub of activity in the summer months, not least due to large-scale events such as the West Cork Literary Festival in July and the Chamber Music Festival in the same month. 

Eileen is keen to strike a positive note, outlining how "everyone completely understands the awful situation that is going on" that requires Ireland to provide accommodation, while balancing that against the needs of a sector of huge importance, both locally and nationally.

"We want to have a positive outlook," she says. "We hope 2024 is as good as 2023, which was very good."

The data indicates 2023 was indeed a broadly successful one for the tourism sector. 

Fáilte Ireland ’s Tourism Barometer, published in January last, shows visitor levels in 2023 were "significantly up in some sectors”, with 59% of businesses saying they had more visitors in 2023 compared to 2022, while 22% had fewer. 

Three-quarters of inbound tour operators and destination management companies (DMCs) said they had increased business last year, alongside a similar percentage of hotels, attractions and tour guides. In the main, it appears the North American market drove that increased traffic.

A spokesperson for Fáilte Ireland said: "Headline findings showed that most tourism businesses are predicting 2024 will be better than 2023, with 44% of respondents expecting an increase in visitors this year and 21% expecting fewer visitors.

Concerns about rising costs

"However, businesses are still reporting concerns about rising operational costs in 2024 with half of businesses saying the minimum wage increase will have a ‘significant’ impact on their payroll costs. The ongoing capacity constraints is also noted as a worry for 2024."

Yet when it came to the top three concerns for 2024, they were listed as "rising costs besides energy or payroll"(58%), "rising energy costs" (55%) and "rising payroll costs" (51%), with the food and drink sector particularly affected. Another striking figure was the 42% of Dublin businesses citing anti-social behaviour as a concern.

That is not to say accommodation was not an issue — a shortage of available and affordable tourist accommodation was described as a challenge, with the "cost of tourist accommodation" ranking fifth overall as a concern, but first among attractions, activity providers, tour guides, inbound tour operators and DMCs.

According to the Fáilte Ireland presentation: “In some areas, especially rural, pubic contracts for accommodation have significantly depleted bed stock for tourists, and as well as this causing a lack of availability, the reduced supply is also pushing up prices. This is affecting non-accommodation businesses, which rely on potential tourists finding somewhere to stay in the area.” 

More broadly, it said: "Supply shortage plus rising operating costs are pushing up prices — causing some inbound tour operators to say they are losing incoming business." 

But for all that, 44% of businesses expect to have more visitors this year, compared to 21% who expect to be down. The projections show the food and drinks sector as having a negative outlook for 2024 in expecting a downturn, yet all four brand experience regions — Dublin, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the Wild Atlantic Way — expect to see higher visitor volumes this year.

Refugees and asylum seekers

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Tourism: "Fáilte Ireland analysis of Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth data shows that in, November 2023, 12% of all registered tourism accommodation stock was under contract to the State, down from 13% in June 2023. An additional quantum of tourism-type accommodation that is not registered with Fáilte Ireland is also contracted to the State."

The Government — and more specifically, the Department of Integration — late last month announced a new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants, driven by a move away from reliance on private providers towards a core of State-owned accommodation, with the aim of delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028.

If implemented, this will make a huge difference to the current accommodation landscape, but the likelihood is it will make little or no difference in the short-term, according to Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.

He says the tourism sector has "no issue" with providing solace to Ukrainian refugees or others who need it, but the concern is Government housing them in hotels and guesthouses. 

"This year, compared to last, the short answer is that the tourism industry is more worried than last," he says.

A year ago, we were told the use of hotel rooms etc was a short-term measure or a temporary measure. Now, the Ukraine war is two years on and it looks like there is not going to be any clear alternative plan in place.

He believes effectively 20% of tourism accommodation stock is gone from its primary use and while the providers of those beds still receive a cheque from the State, it is the "downstream" services — such as pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions — that lose out most financially. 

He quotes a Fáilte Ireland figure suggesting that for every €1 spent on accommodation, tourists tend to spend as much as €2.50 on those other local services and attractions. 

"Alright, they get a bit of business [from whoever uses the contracted rooms], but nothing like the level of business from tourism here," he says.

Mr O'Mara Walsh says another impact is rising prices, driven at least in part by the reduced supply of rooms available. 

"It is completely affecting demand and supply equilibrium," he says. "If 20% [of rooms] are gone, then for the 80% that are left prices then jump. The best way to moderate prices is supply."

It could be argued Airbnb might mitigate some of this, given someone booking a stay in Ireland is quite likely to at least investigate the self-catering sector alongside the hotels and B&Bs. 

Yet Mr O'Mara Walsh also sees difficulties there, arguing some stock has also been impacted by the current situation. The Government also hopes to have a new regulatory system in place which would see new planning guidelines for short-term lets — bringing more of those lets back into longer-term rental use.

Mr O'Mara Walsh sees the four-star and above accommodation sector — key for visitors from North America — as less likely to be impacted by the current situation than the three-star and below sector, more popular with British and European visitors. 

"There was plenty of what we would call frustrated demand," he says of the 2023 picture. 

"We will keep the pressure — we were shouting about this well before the Government realised what they were doing."

Funding for tourism sector

The spokesperson for the Department of Tourism pointed out that Budget 2024 provided for total funding of €216m for the tourism sector, with up to €10m available for a programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses "experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement".

"This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives," they said.

The department also said Tourism Minister Catherine Martin approved a Fáilte Ireland proposal for a one-off business support grant that will be targeted at those activity and attraction businesses based in locations where more than 15% of registered tourist accommodation is contracted by the Government for the international protection of Ukraine citizens. 

The categories of tourism businesses identified as eligible for support under the scheme are visitor attractions, outdoor tourism activity providers, tourism golf courses and tourism boat tour operators, with that scheme having been open for applications from March 4 to March 29.

Eoghan O'Mara Walsh believes the sums involved in those mitigation measures are "inadequate".

"We go back to our original demands — this should all be managed out of the Department of that Taoiseach, that it is that important," he says. 

"The Department of Minister Roderic O'Gorman is completely overwhelmed. It [the accommodation situation] is having an enormous impact so the Department of the Taoiseach should have oversight and there should be a whole-of-Government approach to this."

Back in Bantry, Eileen O'Shea says the shortage of accommodation means accommodation providers are often fully booked and at an earlier stage, yet she emphasises that, apart from maybe the first week in August, people will find accommodation and most people book in advance. 

"There is no such thing as people arriving and booking on the day," she points out.

As for the future, she hopes the accommodation issues will "come right in the next couple of years" and also sees some other concerns, such as the possibility some people who grew up with their parents running B&Bs may not wish to continue into the future. 

The weather

She also sees a need to be more responsive to mobile travellers who come to Ireland in recreational vehicles or RVs, such as camper vans — and then there's the weather.

"The big attraction for West Cork and Kerry is outdoor activities and the weather hasn't been very kind to us so far," Eileen says. "Walking and hiking and marine facilities — people are very much more concentrating on their holidays and things to do, not just driving."

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Off the coast of Kerry, eyes are also turning to the skies. David Walsh says last year's boat season was "good enough" but adds: "The weather was a big issue, from July on, rain every day."

Mr Walsh has been ferrying people out to Skellig for many years, more recently on Force Awakens, a newer boat renamed after the success of the Star Wars films and one he has leased from local businessman Kevin O'Sullivan. 

He would prefer the season to start earlier, in light of the likelihood of poorer weather at the back end of the season in September. He can take one boatload of passengers a day, yet it is all weather-permitting.

That, and everyone being on time.

Irish Examiner’s WhatsApp channel

Follow and share the latest news and stories

more cork - news articles

More in this section

Delays frustrating for passengers, frustrating for drivers

Lunchtime news.

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Please click  here for our privacy statement.

FOLLOW IRISH EXAMINER

Select your favourite newsletters and get the best of Irish Examiner delivered to your inbox

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - 10:00 PM

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - 6:00 PM

Family Notices

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Self-catering accommodation squeeze hits tourists and investors, industry warns

Irish self-catering federation wants exemption for existing businesses to continue operating without pending planning permission requirement.

The self-catering industry believes new laws that would require planning permission for accommodation will lead to a further shortage of beds. Stock photograph.

A squeeze on short-term self-catering accommodation is hitting tourism and potentially foreign investment, an industry body has said. Tourism figures fear new laws that would require planning permission for self-catering accommodation will lead to a further shortage of beds for holidaymakers at a time when hotels are already under pressure.

Máire Ní Mhurchú, chairwoman of the Irish Self-Catering Federation, said the current shortage risks spreading to multinational investors, which often need short-term accommodation for managers or staff working temporarily in the Republic. She said an executive from one US company recently told her his business would not base itself in the Republic as “there was no short-term accommodation available in Dublin”.

Ms Ní Mhurchú added that she also knew of one US university that cancelled a student trip to the Republic as staff due to come here to prepare in advance were unable to find anywhere to stay.

IDA Ireland, the agency charged with luring overseas job-creating investment to the Republic, acknowledged that the issue was “a challenge, but not a deterrent”. A spokesman said client companies do raise the Republic’s general housing and accommodation shortages along with other issues. “But once they see a government plan in place to resolve the problem they accept that,” he added.

Five big kitchen myths debunked: salting pasta water, rinsing rice and more

Look inside: Stunning beachfront house hovering over the water in Howth for €3.6m

‘My wife wants another child, but I would be in my 80s when they go to college’

Wild Atlantic writers: the vibrant aesthetic of the Whole Wild World bus was ‘shaped with the input of children’

He noted the Republic was not the only developed country currently grappling with housing and accommodation problems.

The Irish Self-Catering Federation believes new rules requiring planning permission for self-catering homes will simply push people out of the business permanently. Its most recent policy paper points out that some businesses did not reopen after Covid forced their closure four years ago.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said her organisation favours regulation. It developed a quality assurance scheme that State tourism agency Fáilte Ireland has approved, while the federation supports moves to introduce a register of self-catering tourist homes. “There needs to be controls and there needs to be regulations, but we need a balanced tourism policy too,” she says.

It wants the proposed legislation to demand that future self-catering accommodation gets planning permission while allowing existing businesses to continue without it. The federation’s chairwoman points out that when the UK introduced new planning rules for short-term lets it allowed councils to automatically reclassify existing businesses.

According to Ms Ní Mhurchú, demand for self-catering accommodation stretches beyond tourists to mobile workers, people who have to travel for long-term medical treatment, and business people.

Asylum seekers and refugees occupy large numbers of hotel beds in traditional tourist areas to allow the State meet humanitarian commitments. The Irish Self-Catering Federation estimated that one in five beds were used for this purpose nationally during the 2023 tourist season. That figure rose to 28 per cent in Clare, Galway and Kerry last year, the group calculated.

Its policy paper says “the majority” of mid-priced hotel beds in the Republic were not available to tourists last year. “In places like Co Clare there is a huge number of beds gone,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú.

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation said increased social insurance, VAT and wage costs, all driven by Government policy, threaten to close many hospitality businesses.

Barry O'Halloran

Barry O’Halloran covers energy, construction, insolvency, and gaming and betting, among other areas

IN THIS SECTION

Fertility clinic blames slump in revenue on ivf tourism, supreme court ruling may affect dozens of strategic housing plans, ires sees €1.8m costs incurred dealing with activist investor campaign, housing commencements surge 67% in first quarter, hotter-than-expected inflation data sends us stocks lower, ‘when my grandad arrived he was illiterate, and now his grandson is earning this country an oscar nomination’, vera pauw ‘destroyed’ by diane caldwell’s criticism and ‘disappointed’ in eileen gleeson, miriam lord: total eclipse of the dáil as houdini harris does a disappearing act on day one, soldier sexually abused colleagues when drinking session turned sour, court martial told, latest stories, ‘tackle funding crisis, plug skills gaps and boost pay’: the key challenges facing the new minister for higher education, regulator seeks powers to require solicitors to be more transparent about conveyancing costs, how ai and chatgpt are bringing the voices of forgotten irishwomen in history to life, parkinson’s patients experience significant delays before being seen at clinics, audit finds, limerick voice named newspaper of the year at national student media awards.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

Lough Eske Castle concierge gets the golden keys

05 Apr 2024

PRESS PACK (3.14mb) COPY

The concierge at Lough Eske Castle hotel has been awarded membership of the prestigious Les Clefs d'Or (Golden Keys) association of concierges

In recognition of his exceptional standard of service and connection with the hotel’s guests, Shea Kildea, concierge at Lough Eske Castle in County Donegal, has received Les Clefs d’Or. Les Clefs d’Or is a professional association of hotel concierges with approximately 4000 members working in over 80 countries and 530 destinations. It is founded on the two pillars of Service and Friendship. The elite group are committed to professional development and driven to set new standards for guest service perfection. Members are recognisable by the crossed golden keys they wear on their lapel. Before earning the right to wear the golden keys, those who aspire to become a member must have several years of experience as a hotel concierge, pass comprehensive testing and prove their ability to deliver the highest quality of service. Speaking about his achievement, Shea Kildea said: "It is a privilege to work each day with the guests of Lough Eske Castle. I am lucky to be able to make Donegal an unforgettable experience for people from all over the world. To become a member of this esteemed association is an honour and I will strive to further develop my skills and knowledge in my role." Shea epitomises the warm welcome that is the hallmark of Ireland and his commitment to make each experience memorable for guests adds to the 5-star experience at Lough Eske Castle. He is one of 28 members of Les Clefs d’Or on the island of Ireland.    Multi-award-winning Lough Eske Castle, located just outside the picturesque town of Donegal, attracts guests from all over the world to enjoy its luxurious accommodation and gorgeous setting. The historic castle building, dating back to the fifteenth century, is situated within 43 acres of forest woodland on the shores of sparkling Lough Eske. The five-star hotel also has a luxury spa and whiskey-tasting cellar. Lough Eske Castle makes a great base from which to explore rugged County Donegal , which was listed as the fourth best region in the world to visit this year in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024. The guidebook highlighted the county’s stunning coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way, unspoilt landscapes, rich heritage and musical traditions. Among the county’s most famous sights are the Slieve League cliffs, St John’s Point lighthouse and Glenveagh National Park . www.ireland.com    

PREVIOUS NEXT

Need more resources? View our images and videos from across Ireland

• ITIC MEMBERS

• 2024 Reports
• 2023 Reports
• 2022 Reports
• 2021 Reports
• 2020 Reports
• 2019 Reports
• 2018 Reports

The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) is the primary representative body of the Irish tourism industry. We are recognised by Government departments and agencies, North and South, by Tourism Ireland Ltd, by the EU, and other organisations whose activities impact on the business of tourism.

We represent the leading tourism interests and businesses throughout the Republic of Ireland. Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, with a value of over €10 billion, is Ireland’s biggest regional employer, employing one in nine, and generates Exchequer receipts in excess of €2 billion (source: CSO 2019).

Our membership consists of over 30 organisations, covering all sectors of Irish tourism – accommodation, access transport, airports, internal transport, incoming tour operators, food and beverage providers, visitor attractions, educators, activities and outdoor pursuits, and business tourism.

• Policy-Making
• Lobbying / Case-Making
• Membership Engagement
• Celebrating / Evaluating Tourism
• Crisis Recovery Planning
• Industry Updates
• Media Relations
• Industry Interviews

What We Do – Strategy

ITIC seeks to influence Government strategy for tourism by identifying goals, actions, and key enablers of success. ITIC’s Strategy Document Tourism: An Industry Strategy for Growth to 2025 was the product of an extensive 12-month consultative process engaging the major stakeholders in Irish tourism.

In line with best practice, we provide update reports on progress for our strategy (link).

In June 2020, in response to the COVID pandemic, we published our Post-COVID Tourism Industry Revival Plan.

What We Do – Policy-Making

ITIC works closely with its member organisations to make the case at Government level for policies which will enable success for tourism.

Our policy requests are reflective of the changing internal and external tourism environment.

We recommend the following key policies be undertaken in the Programme for Government 2020-25:

• Business survival grants; a reduction of the VAT rate on tourism services to 0% for 2020;
• SME specific support including a moratorium on local authority rates;
• State backed long-term low interest loans;
• A dedicated Department of Tourism;
• Exchequer funding increase for tourism services;
• An air access development fund;
• A domestic market stimulus incentive;
• The creation of a Tourism Recovery Taskforce.

What We Do – Lobbying & Case-Making

To support the achievement of policies identified by ITIC, we engage in regular consultation meetings with Government agencies. This enables us to articulate our industry asks, and to present our case to senior decision-makers.

We believe in positive and constructive communication, and we work hard at being excellent partners in tourism, while committing to achieving the most favourable outcomes for our members and for Irish tourism.

What We Do – Research

All of our strategy and policy work is founded in professional research. ITIC engages in regular research projects to ensure that its objectives and goals remain evidence-based.

Working with respected research partners, we monitor external forces and international trends in order to understand Ireland’s position on the tourism world stage. Recent research pieces include: Tourism: A Competitiveness Report (2019), Tourism Industry Revival Plan, and the ITIC Sustainable Tourism Report.

What We Do – Membership Engagement

Central to ITIC’s purpose are our members. Founded in 1984, our members have included some of the largest employers and revenue generators within the sector.

We listen to the concerns of members, identify common themes across the sector, and work hard to create a collaborative unity across our membership.

ITIC believes that there is strength in numbers and in unity, and we strongly encourage positive networking and engagement amongst our members. We are open to membership subject to certain criteria. Expressions of interest in joining ITIC can be emailed in confidence to [email protected] .

What We Do – Celebrate & Elevate Tourism

ITIC inaugurated the Irish Tourism Industry Awards in 2015, and it has quickly become the marquis event for recognising excellence and innovation in the Irish tourism industry.

Past winners include GPO Witness History, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, and A Taste of West Cork Food Festival.

Biennally, a Special Recognition Award is presented to a person or persons whose contribution to Irish tourism is considered to be especially significant and valuable.

What We Do – Crisis Recovery Planning

The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has had a devastating impact on Irish tourism, and its long term impact remains to be seen. It is essential at this time that ITIC give primary attention to the restarting of Irish tourism, the revival of regional jobs, and the regeneration of tourism revenues.

ITIC’s newest publication A Post-COVID Tourism Industry Revival Plan identifies nine key pillars for business recovery, and maps out a number of scenarios in the journey towards tourism regeneration over the coming years.

What We Do – Industry Updates

ITIC publishes regular updates, commentaries and analysis pieces pertaining to the business of tourism in Ireland.

This enables us to identify key trends nationally and internationally, and to identify and recommend corrective courses of action to secure the future success of Irish tourism.

What We Do – Media Relations

As the representative voice for the wider tourism sector, we are regularly invited to comment and write on matters of current interest for national and international news outlets. You can find us on social media | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn

What We Do – Industry Interviews

ITIC’s archive of interviews with leading figures in the Irish tourism industry forms a rich narrative on people, developments, and events of significance which have changed the tourism landscape.

Privacy Overview