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Tourism Ireland has unveiled a new online film showcasing our superb scenery and reminding prospective visitors around the world that one of the best ways to truly appreciate that scenery is to explore it on foot.

 With walks, trails and hikes to suit every ability, the latest video from Tourism Ireland – called "Walking around the island of Ireland” – shows how everyone can get outdoors and get active while exploring the island of Ireland on foot. The message is that walking in Ireland lets our visitors take in the sights, sounds and landscapes as nature intended: at their own pace. They can take their pick from Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, national parks, serene beach walks and coastal trails or interesting historical sites. Or they can meet new friends on one of our fun-filled walking festivals, held throughout the year. 

 

Guests on Airbnb are projected to spend an estimated €212 million in Irish restaurants and cafes in 2019, according to new figures from the booking website.

The projected spend is an increase of 31% from 2018 when estimated spending totaled €170 million.

 

Airbnb offers guests the chance to experience local foods and flavours by learning to cook a traditional recipe or discovering neighbourhood restaurants and cafes, through its Airbnb Experiences.

Guests on the platform are projected to spend €86 million in Dublin in 2019, an increase from €75 million in 2018.

Almost 60% of total guest spending in restaurants and cafes in Ireland this year is spent outside of Dublin.

Fáilte Ireland plans to restore tourism growth in 2020 with a multi-faceted programme of investment, promotion and training.

Paul Kelly, ceo, said yesterday that tourism numbers in 2019 are likely to be about 1.1% lower than in 2019. Overseas visitor numbers will be level with last year but domestic and NI numbers are down by 2%. Following phenomenal growth of 9% in 2018, tourism revenue this year will fall by around 2%. Factors contributing to the decline include shorter corporate trips and reduced spending by arrivals visiting friends and family, probably due to more in this category arriving from  Eastern Europe. An increase in available beds has also dampened rates in some areas.

 Tourism projections for  2020 come with a ’Health Warning’, Paul Kelly said, because of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Failte Ireland is helping the industry to be ‘Brexit ready’ to meet challenges which will include a weak sterling. This will impact British people travelling abroad particularly the second or third short break, which is often taken in Ireland. People living in some European countries are anxious about travelling to Ireland until the Brexit process reaches a conclusion while visitors from the Far East, who usually arrive on UK and Ireland pckages, may spend fewer nights of their vacation in Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland is to fund a €500,000 campaign promoting tourism careers to help increase the awareness of students and their parents about the varied and viable career opportunities in tourism. This campaign will help to attract the volume and quality of talent required to sustain growth. 

A digital hub will be created that will act as a one stop shop for information on courses and careers in Tourism and Hospitality.

Jenny De Saulles, head of the newly-created Sectoral Development Directorate said :

‘Our plans are about building an Ireland where every part of the country is included and the natural inclination of our people to welcome others is translated into jobs and opportunities’.