Tourism Northern Ireland has described as "hugely encouraging" new statistics that show a 9% increase in tourism last year.
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA) show there were 5.1m trips to Northern Ireland in 2025 compared to 4.7m trips in 2024.
The money spent by visitors also rose 9% during the period from £1.1bn to £1.2bn.
According to the research, the Republic of Ireland market performed best, with the number of overnight trips growing by 15% compared to 2024, and further growing this lucrative ‘close to home’ market is a key priority for Tourism Northern Ireland.
The region's food and drink offering has also been credited a key influence in increasing visitor numbers and spending.
The Causeway Coast. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Laura McCorry, chief executive of Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The figures released by NISRA are hugely encouraging and a clear signal that Northern Ireland tourism is firmly back in growth.
“A 9% increase in both overnight trips and visitor spend to £1.2bn shows real momentum.
“These results are hard-earned and reflect years of sustained effort by Tourism NI, our partners, and above all, the thousands of tourism businesses right across Northern Ireland who deliver exceptional visitor experiences every single day.
"Our focus is clear. We want to build on this momentum, work with industry to grow the value of tourism, and ensure that this success is felt in every community across Northern Ireland.”
*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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