+11% growth in holiday visitors
September 2018
Latest figures from the CSO (Central Statistics Office) indicate that holiday visitors from overseas grew by +11% in the first half of 2018. And, more importantly for the Irish economy, revenue from overseas visitors to Ireland grew by +8.7% during this period, an additional €180 million compared with the first six months in 2017.
380,000 visitors welcomed to NI
August 2018
Figures for overseas visitors to Northern Ireland for the first quarter of 2018, issued by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) today, confirm that almost 380,000 overseas visitors were welcomed in Q1 and they spent almost £100 million in the Northern Ireland economy.
American Airlines New Dallas to Dublin Service
August 2018
Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes today’s announcement by American Airlines of a new summer service from Dallas to Dublin. This flight will commence in June 2019 and will help boost tourism from the all-important US market, offering more choice to prospective American visitors living in Texas.
Hard Rock Hotel Opening in Dublin
September 2018
Hard Rock International is opening a new hotel on Lord Edward Street in Dublin, in February 2020. The hotel will feature 120 guest bedrooms and suites furnished to an exceptionally high standard using warm fumed woods, fresh stone surfaces, bespoke Ulster carpets and sumptuous patterned and vibrant fabrics. Hard Rock Hotel Dublin will also have an exciting all-day dining restaurant showcasing freshest Irish ingredients. There will also be a casual bar serving food accompanied by well-crafted cocktails and 24-hour in-room dining
Overseas Visitors to Northern Ireland 2017 increase by +2%
June 2018
Tourism Ireland has welcomed figures for overseas visitors to Northern Ireland for 2017, published by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) today.
The figures confirm that we welcomed a record 2.175 million overseas visitors – up +2%, or almost 43,000 additional overseas visitors, on 2016. Holiday visitors accounted for 709,000 overseas visitors (up almost +4% on 2016); and, more importantly for the economy, revenue from overseas visitors to Northern Ireland grew by over +4% (£566 million).
In 2018, Tourism Ireland aims to build on the 2017 performance – growing overseas tourism revenue to £623 million, driven by more than 2.3 million overseas visitors.
Over 650 additional hotel rooms for Belfast
May 2018
Belfast will gain a total of over 650 additional hotel rooms in the heart of the city over the next couple of months. AC Hotels by Marriott boasting 188 rooms, has already opened its doors, and coming in June the Grand Central (Hasting Hotels) 300 rooms and Hampton by Hilton Belfast with 178 rooms.
Work begins on £15 million upgrade at Belfast City Airport
April 2018
Work as part of a £15 million upgrade project to improve the passenger experience at George Best Belfast City Airport is now underway. The major infrastructure investment includes an upgrade of the airport’s departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering. Upcoming works will include additional food and beverage outlets, new and enlarged toilet facilities in Departures, as well as more seating areas. The entire works will be completed by October 2018.
2018 Off To A Great Start
March 2018
Almost 2 million arrivals* to the Republic of Ireland were recorded in the 3 months of ‘November 2017-January 2018’, reflecting an increase of +6% over the same period a year ago. In 2017, January represented 6% of arrivals for the year. Arrivals from North America grew by +3.1% in January. Mainland Europe was up almost +17% on January last year, with particularly strong performances from Germany and Italy. In 2018, approximately 585k overseas arrivals were recorded in January, this represents an increase of +4% compared to January 2017.
*arrivals include same day trips and non-tourism related trips
February 2018 Visitor Numbers
March 2018
The CSO have published ‘February 2018’ direct arrivals to the Republic of Ireland. Direct ROI arrivals include same day trips and non-tourism related trips. In 2017, February represented 5% of arrivals (the lowest monthly arrivals) for the year. In 2018, approximately 575k overseas arrivals were recorded in February, this represents an increase of +12% compared to February 2017. Almost 2 million arrivals were recorded in the 3 months of ‘December 2017- February 2018’, reflecting an increase of +6% over the same period a year ago.
Global Greening St Patrick’s Day 2018
February 2018
Tourism Ireland today launched its Global Greening campaign for 2018, continuing the organisation’s first-half promotional drive to grow overseas tourism to the island. The initiative – now in its ninth year – has grown from strength to strength, with exciting new attractions and sites around the world joining some ‘old favourites’ to turn green this year for St Patrick's Day.
Click here for the 2018 line-up confirmed to date.
The Global Greening campaign helps to generate over €10M in positive publicity for the island of Ireland at an important time for decision-making on holidays.
Visitor Numbers to Northern Ireland
February 2018
Almost 1.7 million (1.673k) overseas visitors were welcomed in the first three-quarters of 2017, this represents an increase of +4%, or almost +70k more visitors than the same period in 2016. Almost half (48%) of these were extra visitors were holidaymakers, contributing strongly to this growth (an additional +33k holidaymakers or an increase of +6%). Almost all market areas contributed to this growth in holidaymakers. Revenue grew by +12%, driven by strong growth in holiday revenue +29%. Nights grew by +7% mainly driven by holiday nights (+46%).