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Tourism numbers rose 8pc last year

Tuesday, September 11 11:15:49

The number of overseas trips to Ireland by non residents increased from 6.1 million in 2010 to 6.6 million trips in 2011 - a rise of 7.9pc, latest figures from the CSO showed today.

The number of nights spent in Ireland by overseas travellers rose by 6.1pc in 2011, up from 48 million to 50.9 million.

Spending in Ireland by overseas travellers increased by 0.7pc between 2010 and 2011, from E3,556 million to E3,580 million, the figures show.

Meanwhile, last year saw the number of overseas trips made by Irish residents fall by 4.2pc, from 6.7 million to 6.4 million trips.

Total overseas tourism and travel expenditure of Irish residents declined by 7.2pc, from E5,211 million in 2010 to E4,835 million in 2011.

The largest increase in overseas travellers was by Other Europe (excluding Great Britain) residents, who made 238,000 additional trips in 2011 compared to 2010, an increase of 11.4pc.

The number of overseas trips made by residents of Great Britain increased by 123,000 (+4.4pc) in 2011. The largest increase in the number of overseas trips to Ireland by reason for journey occurred amongst those coming for the purpose of holiday/leisure/recreation. These trips rose by 274,000, a rise of 10.9pc compared with 2010.

Total overseas tourism and travel earnings increased from E3,556 million in 2010 to E3,580 million in 2011.

Excluding fares, expenditure decreased by 0.7pc, from E2,976 million to E2,954 million. Of this E2,954 million, 51pc was spent by travellers for holiday/leisure/recreation purposes, 22pc by those travelling to visit friends/relatives, 16pc by business travellers and the remaining 11pc by those travelling for Other reasons. Based on the area of residence of the overseas traveller, the most important markets in terms of expenditure (excluding fares) within Ireland were Other Europe (excluding Great Britain) 39pc, Great Britain 29pc and USA and Canada 24pc.