Visitors Spend More in 2024

New CSO data shows spend by overseas visitors coming to Ireland continues to increase. From January to the end of October 2024, Ireland has welcomed 5.79 million visitors, up +8% compared to the same period of 2023, spending €5.38 billion, up +15% compared to the same period of 2023.

Alongside year-to-date numbers, CSO now publishes monthly data. In October, overseas visitors spent €535 million, an increase of almost +4% over October last year, with Mainland Europe and North America driving positive growth in spend coming into the tourism economy. 

In volume terms, Ireland welcomed 548,000 visitors in October, -5% compared to October 2023. The decrease in volume was driven by a softening in the number of visitors from Great Britain particularly (-13% compared to October 2023). There was a slight dip in visitor numbers from North America (-3%), keeping in mind that October was the month directly prior to the US election. Mainland Europe was the October success story across all parameters, seeing growth in spend (+22%), visitors (+3%) and bednights (+15%), compared to October 2023.

Of the visitors across markets who came to Ireland in October, they spent on average +9% more per trip than last year, and their length of stay was stable and slightly up on October 2023.

Challenges in volumes of visitors may persist through the winter, with air seat capacity to the island at 99% the level of winter 2023. While regional and Northern Ireland airports are showing strong growth, Dublin has 96% of the seat capacity it had in winter 2023, due to the airport cap applied this winter. While there is a “hold” for legal consideration of the airport cap for summer 2025, there is still impact from applying the cap in winter 2024. Island wide, air seat capacity for the winter from Great Britain has dipped to 97% the level of 2023 and from North America to 96% of the level of 2023. 

Alice Mansergh, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: 

“It is positive to see that overseas tourism spend so far in 2024 has grown +15% compared to the same period in 2023, with Mainland Europe, Great Britain and North America all demonstrating revenue growth. This growth is vital for the tourism industry, at a time when cost inflation means margins are tight, and we’re proud to support demand growth through our overseas marketing.”