Background Notes

Introduction      

The data in this release gives details on the number of overseas trips to Ireland and Irish trips abroad. It provides data on country of residence, reason for journey, the average length of stay (nights) and expenditure of overseas travellers to Ireland and by Irish residents on trips abroad.

Ireland                               

For the purposes of this release, Ireland refers to the Republic of Ireland.

Data Sources                               

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out two sample surveys of passengers at airports and seaports. These are the Country of Residence Survey (CRS) and the Passenger Card Inquiry (PCI). Data from these surveys are used in conjunction with passenger movement figures supplied by the air and sea transport companies to provide the estimates for overseas tourism and travel in this release. The Country of Residence Survey is a continuous sample survey of passengers (both inward and outward) which provides an estimated country of residence breakdown for passengers entering and leaving Ireland. This distribution is applied to the total passenger movement figures to provide estimates of Irish trips abroad and trips to Ireland by non-residents. Trips to Ireland are categorised into the areas of residence shown in this release.

The Passenger Card Inquiry is a continuous sample survey of incoming and departing passengers. This survey provides information on the reason for journey, length of stay, expenditure and fare costs, in addition to residency. The results are combined with the overall residency estimates from the Country of Residence Survey to provide the overseas tourism and travel details shown in this release.

Periodicity                                   

Quarterly.

Scope                                             

The length of stay, residency, reason for journey, accommodation type (inbound travellers only) expenditure and fare costs for overseas travel into and out of Ireland.

Coverage                                         

This release provides information on overseas travel into and out of Ireland. The results for overseas travel to Ireland are based on the travel and expenditure patterns of departing non-resident passengers while results for overseas travel by Irish residents are based on departing and incoming Irish passengers.

Travel by residents of Northern Ireland into or out of Ireland or travel within Ireland by Irish residents is excluded from this publication.

Data Collection                          

This release is based on the results of the Passenger Card Inquiry. The PCI surveys passengers at Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock airports and at Rosslare, Ringaskiddy, Dún Laoghaire and Dublin seaports.  Data on the country of residence, length of stay, reason for journey, expenditure and fare costs is collected from passengers who complete a questionnaire provided by one of a team of Central Statistics Office (CSO) interviewers.  This data is also collected by the Office of National Statistics staff on behalf of the CSO at Holyhead seaport covering passengers coming into the Republic of Ireland from Holyhead.

Sample Design         

A sample of flights and sailings is selected to facilitate proper representation of airport/seaport pairings (e.g. Dublin-London Heathrow), day, night, weekday and weekend flights/sailings. The PCI card is then distributed by CSO interviewers to all passengers on these flights and sailings.

Where expenditure or fare data is missing, results are imputed using the ‘nearest neighbour’ imputation methodology. In other words, these expenditures and fares are estimated using the average fares of other observations in the sample with similar characteristics.            

Sample Size                                 

The effective sample size for the PCI in Quarter 4 2015 was 38,000 passengers.

Definitions 

Trip                                               

In this release, a trip is defined as a journey (usually including a return) from one place to another, for any purpose (i.e. both tourism and non-tourism). The number of trips is calculated as the sum of both outward journeys and inward journeys divided by two.

Same Day Traveller                 

A traveller is classified as a same day traveller if his/her trip does not include an overnight stay.

Transit/Transfer Passengers

Transit passengers are defined as those who make a stop at an airport without any particular purpose other than being en route to another destination. These passengers generally do not disembark from their aircraft and are therefore not covered by the Passenger Card Inquiry.

Transfer passengers or ‘connecting passengers’ are also defined as those who make a stop at an airport without any particular purpose other than being en route to another destination. However, unlike transits, transfer passengers disembark the aircraft and pass through the airport en route to their connecting flight. Such passengers may be surveyed for the Passenger Card Inquiry and are thus included in the estimates for trips and expenditure.

Country of Residence                    

Country of Residence is defined as the country in which the person has resided for 12 months prior to interview.

Total Expenditure              

Total expenditure refers to the amount paid for the acquisition or consumption of goods and services for one’s own use or for use by others, for and during trips. It includes expenditure by travellers themselves, as well as expenses that are paid for or reimbursed by others. For example, expenses paid by another person (e.g. gift) or expenses paid directly by the employer for employees on business travel are included.

Total expenditure does not include purchases of land, real estate or motor vehicles.

Overseas Tourism & Travel Earnings                       

Overseas tourism and travel earnings refers to the total expenditure by overseas travellers while in Ireland plus fares paid by them to Irish air and sea carriers.

Overseas Tourism & Travel Expenditure                                        

Overseas tourism and travel expenditure refers to the total expenditure of Irish residents on overseas trips (including all fares) less fares paid by them to Irish air and sea carriers.

Tourism & Travel Balance        

This refers to the difference between tourism and travel earnings from overseas trips to Ireland and tourism and travel expenditure on trips abroad by Irish residents.

Rounding                                       

Individual figures have been rounded independently and the sum of component items therefore may not necessarily add to the totals shown.

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