Tourist numbers increase by a third in February

The 404,700 foreign visitors to Ireland last month represented an increase of 33% from February but a 7% decline from February 2024.

Expenditure, meanwhile, rose 28% from €196m to €250m. Again, the February total was lower (-12%) than when compared to the same month two years ago (€284m)

Visitors from Britain (43%) accounted for the largest share ahead of continental Europe (40%), North America (12%) and the rest of the world (4%).

In terms of spending, visitors from continental Europe accounted for €97m (39%), Britain for €78m (31%), North America for €57m (23%), and visitors from the Rest of the World for €18m (7%).

The total amount spent by foreign visitors (including fares) was €332m.

Broken down by expense category, the costliest subheading was day-to-day spending, ie incidental expenditures incurred during their visit, such as eating out, entrance fees, public transport, but excluding accommodation, amounting to €148m.

The next costliest subheading was accommodation at €96m. Fare costs were an estimated €82m, while prepayments (items paid in advance, such as car hire and pre-booked tickets) were estimated at €7m. 

Visiting friends and relatives was the most commonly stated purpose of travel at 36%, and a similar proportion travelled for holidays (35%), while 18% came on business.

The average length of stay declined slightly from 5.9 nights to 5.8 nights, with visitors spending a combined total of 2.36m nights in the country.

Of the 404,700 visitors, some 189,200 (47%) stayed in a hotel as their main accommodation type.

Another 157,100 (39%) of the visitors stayed in their own property or with family as their main accommodation type, and 17,900 (4%) used rented/self-catering as their main accommodation type.

* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.