New statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that visitor numbers to Ireland have increased for the first time since 2007.
The CSO recorded an descent eight per cent increase in overseas visitors for 2011, compared to number of people who came to our shores in 2010. Finally, our tourism is back on track. Either that, or people who have emigrated are just coming back for regular visits.
Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, is certainly one happy camper. Commenting on the news of an increase, Leo said, “While the return to growth in 2011 was welcome we still have to fight hard for Ireland’s share of global tourism spending”.
The number of people from Britain visiting Ireland was up 5 per cent in 2011, while visits from the rest of Europe were up by 12 per cent compared to 2010.
Visits from the US were up 5.5 per cent while Australian visits were up by 12.2 per cent (unsurprisingly).
However, Tim Fenn, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has made some warnings on the stability of the tourism sector at the moment. “Recovery in tourism is still fragile and businesses in the sector remain very sensitive to increases in costs despite the very welcome Government initiatives such as the reduction in VAT and PRSI rates,” he told the Irish Examiner.
The visitors might be rolling in, but us Irish are staying put. The number of Irish heading away on holidays was down by 4.2 per cent, compared to 2010 (when we all thought there was still a bit of money left).
