Irish tourism receives boost from American tourists in 2011

Numbers surpassed the peak levels of 2007

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Friday, December 30, 2011, 8:40 AM

Updated Friday, December 30, 2011, 8:40 AM

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American tourists in Dublin

Photo by Erik Luke

Ireland saw a 7 percent increase in the number of overseas visitors in 2011, the first major increase in four years.

According to a report released this week by The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) the numbers employed in the tourism sector increased with 6,000 new jobs added to the workforce after seasonal adjustments.

The ITIC announced that visitors from Mainland Europe increased by 10%, and visitors from North America increased by 8 percent.

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The market for themed escorted coach tours from the USA was particularly strong in 2011, with visitors numbers climbing above the peak levels of 2007.

In other welcome news for the industry, Dublin Port also welcomed a record 87 cruise liners to the nations capital this year.

In conclusion the ITIC claims that Ireland and its tourist industry have proved their resilience but the overall level of demand enjoyed in 2007, a record year for Irish tourism, has yet to be repeated.

Nster.com

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Eire2009 | Jan 07, 2012, 03:28 PM EST

George Dillon -- I just got back from Ireland yesterday and, yes, were a few Eastern European staff at my hotel but not as many as Irish ones. Some of the housekeepers were Nigerian. None of that bothered me, though. The most annoying nationality I encountered in Ireland BY FAR was American -- even in the winter with crap weather my countrymen were literally everywhere I went. I left the US to get away from my fellow Americans and enjoy the Irish culture unimpeded as possible -- apparently I was naive! Probably the most annoying and embarrassing thing was young American college kids talking so loudly and obnoxiously on a 2 1/2 train trip to Galway that several people (including myself) had to go to a different train car on for some piece and quiet. Not all Americans over there behave so badly, but the ones who do really give us a bad name! And now I've learned first-hand.

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LaoiseRyan | Dec 31, 2011, 03:46 PM EST

Eastern Europeans can work here legally so good luck to them. Hotels couldnt get irish staff for years because the pay was so bad so fair play to the foreign staff for doing the work. My mate has just finished a degree in travel and tourism and got a job in West Palm Beach. Obviously there wasnt an American to do the job better than her so why shouldnt she take it? People are entitled to earn a living regardless of where they are from.

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 31, 2011, 02:26 PM EST

It's farcical to ask us to rejoice at the addition of 6000 jobs. Anyone who knows the Irish tourist sector will know that the majority of those 6000 workers will be Poles, Latvians, Pakis, etc. What's the advantage to Ireland of providing jobs for foreigners? It's utter nonsense. I won't be heading to Ireland for a while--I'm sick of soulless characterless hotels manned by a United Nations team of personalityless foreigners. If I wanted to interact with Poles I'd vacation in Warsaw.

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 31, 2011, 06:23 AM EST

The Irish tourism sector should be a bit more appreciative of those that are visiting in this global slowdown. On a recent visit I was told stories of a well known golf club that is experiencing some financial slowdown. The direct manner in which it was assessed was 'not enough yanks to rip off'.

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 31, 2011, 06:19 AM EST

Have to agree with Joycean regarding 'those crazy roads'. They drive like lunatics over there and yet appear bewilldered at the number of deaths on their roads every week.

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sirpeter | Dec 31, 2011, 12:06 AM EST

I get the feeling they will be happy talking to the locals as long as they don't have to talk to you.

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joycean | Dec 30, 2011, 12:26 PM EST

I'm glad to see increased numbers of tours and cruises.Those people can say they've been there without having to talk to the locals or drive on those crazy roads.

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