There was a 12.7% growth in overseas trips to to Ireland for business in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 according to the latest CSO figures.
Business tourism is an increasingly lucrative sector and is growing. Between January and June this year, there were 798,000 business trips to Ireland by overseas visitors, an increase of 12.7% on the same period in 2015.
The value of these trips to the Irish economy totalled €346m (excluding fares), a 7% increase on the first half of 2015. During the second quarter of this year (April to June), the majority of international business visitors stayed for at least one night, with the average length of stay at five nights. This boosted bednights by almost 18% to 2.25m, from 1.9m in the first quarter 2016.
By comparison, trips by Irish people overseas for business fell by 16% in the second quarter to 236,000, versus second quarter 2015. The average length of trip was 3 nights and spending (including fares) averaged €780 per trip.
At the inaugural Connect16 business tourism showcase today, Nicola McGrane, Founder and Organiser of Connect16, highlighted the significant opportunity to unlock additional revenue through successfully bidding for international conferences.
Connect16 is the biggest gathering of the Irish business tourism industry, and the first and only dedicated business tourism event in Ireland.
Connect16 is sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council and was attended by more than 2,000 event professionals, including delegations from Canada, France, Germany, North America, the United Kingdom and other European locations.
Connect16 was officially opened by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny who said, "Ireland is already a popular location for business tourism. In 2015, business tourism accounted for 1.3 million visitors to Ireland. The contribution of business tourists to the Irish economy is around €669 million per annum and the sector also helps to generate jobs across the country with 20,000 people currently employed in the business tourism sector."
He added, "It is wonderful to see the industry come together under one roof to showcase the best of what’s on offer in terms of our infrastructure, intellectual capital, food, entertainment and culture; it reaffirms why Ireland is a global leader at hosting national and international meetings and congresses."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
