Visits to Ireland are up by more than 8% in the first quarter of 2011 in comparison to the same period last year, according to the latest figures published by The Central Statistics Office.
92,800 more overseas visitors came to Ireland than in the first quarter of 2010.
However, Irish people are not going abroad as much as last year; Irish trips abroad are down by nearly 12%.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar is encouraged by these figures.
“These figures show the first early signs of recovery in Ireland’s vital tourism industry,” he said.
Referring to the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama he said:
“I don’t think anything could compare with the positive images of Ireland broadcast around the world in recent days. I’m confident that growth will continue for the rest of the year.”
Britain, Canada and the US make up the bulk of the increase in visitors. Already in 2011 almost 718,000 visitors from these countries came to Ireland, up 54,000 on last year.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Sean Quinn was upbeat about the figures: “Today’s news will give the tourism sector a great boost as it heads into the high season. Fáilte Ireland will be working closely with tourism businesses around the country and playing its part to ensure that we maximise the benefits from any upswing in numbers.”
Niall Gibbons, head of Tourism Ireland, thinks that there is even better to come. “This is a very positive development and we’re well ahead of our expectations. We’ve been doing a lot of promotional work in the market place and now heading into the second quarter, demand appears to be strong,” he said.
It is estimated that the amount spent by visitors to Ireland in 2010 was over €3 billion.
The news is good for Ireland’s economy which has experienced sever recession over the past 3 years and reverses the decline in visitor numbers which has been happening since 2008.
92,800 more overseas visitors came to Ireland than in the first quarter of 2010.
However, Irish people are not going abroad as much as last year; Irish trips abroad are down by nearly 12%.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar is encouraged by these figures.
“These figures show the first early signs of recovery in Ireland’s vital tourism industry,” he said.
Referring to the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama he said:
“I don’t think anything could compare with the positive images of Ireland broadcast around the world in recent days. I’m confident that growth will continue for the rest of the year.”
Britain, Canada and the US make up the bulk of the increase in visitors. Already in 2011 almost 718,000 visitors from these countries came to Ireland, up 54,000 on last year.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Sean Quinn was upbeat about the figures: “Today’s news will give the tourism sector a great boost as it heads into the high season. Fáilte Ireland will be working closely with tourism businesses around the country and playing its part to ensure that we maximise the benefits from any upswing in numbers.”
Niall Gibbons, head of Tourism Ireland, thinks that there is even better to come. “This is a very positive development and we’re well ahead of our expectations. We’ve been doing a lot of promotional work in the market place and now heading into the second quarter, demand appears to be strong,” he said.
It is estimated that the amount spent by visitors to Ireland in 2010 was over €3 billion.
The news is good for Ireland’s economy which has experienced sever recession over the past 3 years and reverses the decline in visitor numbers which has been happening since 2008.
Dublin city is a particularly popular following The Queen and President Obama’s visit. Find Hotels in Dublin at Dublin Overnight.