Tourism Reports ‘Slow Summer’
A majority of tourism businesses have reported either a decline in revenue or no increase in turnover this summer, according to a new survey by Fáilte Ireland.
The latest "Tourism Barometer" survey found 43% of all tourism businesses had reported a fall in income this summer compared to the same period in 2024, with a further 20% reporting no change in business levels.
But a third of businesses (37%) claimed revenue had increased.
Although turnover levels overall have declined, Fáilte Ireland said the outcome was still more favourable than anticipated, especially given subdued figures reported in the first few months of the year and the cautious outlook that many tourism businesses had about the summer.
Some sectors reported better performances than others, with 54% of hotels reporting an increase in turnover this summer, as well as 46% of tourist attractions.
Hotel owners claimed the number of longer stays was down significantly, but the effect was somewhat cushioned by an increase in shorter breaks.
In contrast, 64% of restaurants and 52% of B&Bs said this summer had been particularly difficult for them.
Regionally, there were also some differences, with businesses located along the Wild Atlantic Way and in Ireland’s Ancient East managing generally to maintain revenue on a similar level to summer 2024.
However, 50% of operators in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, which cover the midlands region, as well as 48% of tourism businesses in Dublin, claimed overall revenue was down this summer.
Owners of tourism businesses said costs continued to be the main concern, particularly energy costs, which were cited by a majority of more than 1,000 respondents to the survey.
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