Tourism Given Early Boost In 2014

The number of people visiting Ireland between November 2013 and January 2014 has increased by 8.2% on the same period a year previous.

Welcoming the news, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar said that with 2013 being the best year for tourism in Ireland since 2008, he was "very pleased to see 2014 get off to such a strong start."

Comparing the three-month period Nov 2013 – Jan 2014 with the same period of the previous year the figures reveal:

Overall trips to Ireland were up by 8.2%;

Visitors from North America grew by 14.8%;

Visits from Mainland Europe were up by 1.6%, with Germany (+18.6%) Benelux countries (+9.1%) and Spain (+10.0%) performing particularly well;

Visits from the rest of the world increased by 28.5%;

Great Britain registered an increase of 8.5% in visits.

Shaun Quinn CEO of Fáilte Ireland stated: "Tourism is certainly on the up and this is good news for increased revenues and job creation all around the country, particularly in many rural communities where tourism is the mainstay of the local economy. This year, we are revamping tourism in Dublin, rolling out the Wild Atlantic Way in the west, developing attractions in the east and south and building on the legacy of The Gathering. All of this will help us continue the very positive momentum we’ve experienced in the last year or so."

(MH/CD)