Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed the continued importance of overseas tourism to the Irish economy. Nearly 550,000 international visitors were in Ireland during the month of April each staying an average of over six nights and benefitting all parts of the country.
Despite this though, most tourism leaders will rightly point out that their sector is still some way off pre-pandemic recovery.
A multitude of data sources, from weak hotel occupancy levels to food business closures, confirm the sentiment within the industry that 2024 is looking soft.
Demand may be strong from the all-important North American market but other business sources, from Britain to Europe and even the domestic market, are much weaker.
tourism has significant potential for the island of Ireland. Industry leaders estimate that it can grow by 50% out to 2030 in an environmentally responsible manner but only if significant roadblocks…
