2016 Record Year For Tourism To Ireland - CSO

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have revealed that 2016 was a record year for overseas visitors to Ireland.

CSO data shows that the number of overseas visits between November 2016 and January 2017 increased by 7.2% compared to the same period of 2015/2016.

Welcoming the CSO data, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Shane Ross TD said: "Following on from a record year for tourism in 2016, the figures published today show that 2017 has begun on a positive note. It is encouraging that growth in the North American market remains strong with an increase of 30.8% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

"Last week Norwegian Air International announced their plans to launch low-cost transatlantic services from Cork, Shannon and Dublin this summer, which will contribute further to tourism growth from North America.

"The upcoming St Patrick's festivities will give us an opportunity to showcase Ireland and we are undertaking marketing campaigns in all our key markets. Tourism Ireland have organise a host of famous landmarks and iconic sites across the world to participate in the Global Greening initiative again this year, this has grown to become a significant worldwide reminder of both St. Patrick's Day itself and of Ireland's appeal as a visitor destination."

Comparing the three-month period Nov '16 – Jan '17 with the period Nov '15 – Jan'16, the figures show:

• Overall trips to Ireland were up by 7.2%;

• Visits from North America were up by 30.8%;

• Visits from Mainland Europe were up by 2.3%;

• Visits from the rest of the world (long-haul) increased by 11.4%;

• Great Britain registered an increase of 3.3% in visits.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD added: "I welcome the publication of the employment numbers from the CSO last week which provides further evidence that our tourism industry continues to contribute to the Irish economy. In the last quarter of 2016, employment in the 'Accommodation and Food Service Activities' sector stood at 148,300 which represents an increase of 3.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2015. Overall employment for the tourism industry currently stands at 220,000 and we will continue to work towards our target laid out in the Tourism Policy Statement to have 250,000 employed in the tourism sector by 2025."

(MH/CD)