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For more information on this release:
E-mail: tourism@cso.ie Mairead Griffin (+353) 21 453 5586 Margaret Power (+353) 21 453 5463
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-633X
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Tourism and Travel

Quarter 4 2016

  Overseas trips to Ireland Trips by Irish residents overseas
‘000 ‘000
Reason for journeyOct - Dec 2015Oct - Dec 2016 Oct - Dec 2015Oct - Dec 2016
Business400378 232236
Visits to Friends/Relatives582636 429459
Holiday/Leisure/Recreation795866 828902
Other220259 56102
Total1,9962,139 1,5451,699

Overseas trips to Ireland increased by 7.2% for the period October to December 2016

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Quarter 4 2016 Results

Overseas trips to Ireland:

    • The number of overseas trips to Ireland by non-residents increased from 1.996 million in Quarter 4 2015 to 2.139 million trips in Quarter 4 2016 (+7.2%). See table 1.
    • The number of nights spent in Ireland by overseas travellers increased by 7.5% in Quarter 4 2016 compared with the same period of the previous year, up from 12.8 million to 13.8 million. See table 4.
    • The average duration of overseas trips to Ireland stayed the same at 6.4 nights in both Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016. See table 6.
    • Total tourism and travel earnings from overseas travellers to Ireland increased by 7.5% between Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016, increasing from €1,148 million to €1,234 million. When fares are excluded, total expenditure increased from €873 million to €930 million, an increase of 6.5% over the period. See table 7.

Trips by Irish residents overseas:

    • In Quarter 4 2016, the number of trips made by Irish residents overseas increased by 10.0%, from 1.545 million trips in Quarter 4 2015 to 1.699 million. See table 8.
    • The average duration of overseas trips made by Irish residents decreased from 6.1 nights in Quarter 4 2015 to 6.0 nights in Quarter 4 2016. See table 9.
    • Total tourism and travel expenditure by Irish residents overseas increased by 7.2%, up from €1,050 million in Quarter 4 2015 to €1,126 million in Quarter 4 2016. When all fares are included, total expenditure on overseas trips increased by 7.2%, from €1,292 million to €1,385 million. See table 10.

 

2016 Annual Results

Overseas trips to Ireland:

    • In 2016, a total of 9.584 million overseas trips were made to Ireland compared to 8.643 million trips in 2015 (+10.9%). See table 1.
    • Overseas travellers to Ireland spent a total of 66.4 million nights in the country in 2016 compared to 61.2 million nights the previous year (+8.4%). See table 4a.
    • Overseas travel to Ireland generated earnings of €6,056 million in 2016 compared to €5,530 million in 2015 (+9.5%). When fares are excluded, total expenditure in 2016 was €4,577 million, an increase of 8.8% on 2015. See table 7.

Trips by Irish residents overseas:

    • Irish residents made a total of 7.405 million overseas trips in 2016 compared to 6.965 million trips in 2015 (+6.3%). These trips lasted an average of 7.6 nights in 2016, the same as in the previous year. See tables 8 and 9.
    • Total tourism and travel expenditure on overseas travel by Irish residents increased by 8.8% to €5,110 million in 2016.  When fares are included, total expenditure by Irish residents on overseas trips rose from €5,843 million in 2015 to €6,350 million (+8.7%). See table 10.
Table 1 Number of overseas trips to Ireland by non-residents classified by mode of travel, type of trip, route of travel, area of residence and reason for journey, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
         '000
 201420152016 2015 2016
Trips
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total overseas trips to the Republic of Ireland7,6048,6439,584 1,5312,3452,7711,996 1,7852,5993,0622,139
Trips by mode of travel              
    Air6,7457,7828,740 1,4322,0952,4101,845 1,6662,3722,7081,995
    Sea860861844 99250361151 118227354145
Trips by type             
    Same-day trips 7768941,157 154225278236 190301372294
    Overnight trips 6,8287,7498,428 1,3782,1202,4931,760 1,5942,2982,6891,846
Trips by route of travel             
    Cross channel3,9314,3794,757 9001,1291,3181,033 1,0031,2601,4261,067
    Continental2,7803,0763,416 500897998680 6119681,102735
    Transatlantic & Other Routes8941,1881,411 131319455283 171371534336
Trips by area of residence             
    Great Britain3,1643,5473,924 7268861,050884 8511,0141,148911
    France456505531 88160156101 9816517198
    Germany557629652 86196214133 104192223133
    Italy258321344 608111665 629612958
    Other Europe1,3681,5881,774 292415501380 336476562400
    USA & Canada1,3291,5141,808 191468550305 238520638412
    Australia & New Zealand190207204 31557646 31517349
    All other areas284331346 578510882 648611779
Trips by reason for journey             
    Business1,2821,4411,539 364344332400 364434363378
    Visit to Friends/Relatives2,2092,2972,553 488588640582 555632730636
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation3,3244,0014,388 5381,1841,485795 6911,2571,574866
    Other 7899041,105 141229315220 175276394259
Table 2 Percentage distribution of overseas trips to Ireland by non-residents with at least one overnight in Ireland, cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
TripsReason for journey  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Total trips with at least one overnight in Ireland ('000s)3493305676167728277273 1,7601,846
Area of residence (%)           
Great Britain4947545436331817 4442
France455465117 55
Germany575410996 77
Italy342253711 33
Other Europe2421202117182728 2020
USA & Canada9118921261620 1417
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)7676661111 76
All residencies100100100100100100100100 100100
Table 2a Percentage distribution of overseas trips to Ireland by non-residents with at least one overnight in Ireland, cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Years 2015 and 2016
TripsReason for journey  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20152016201520162015201620152016 20152016
Total trips with at least one overnight in Ireland ('000s)1,2521,3182,2382,4763,9084,251352383 7,7498,428
Area of residence (%)           
Great Britain4847585630311714 4040
France454487119 66
Germany6643111077 87
Italy3322541214 44
Other Europe2422171818183032 1919
USA & Canada9119923241516 1617
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)66776598 66
All residencies100100100100100100100100 100100
Table 3 Percentage distribution of overseas same-day trips to Ireland by non-residents cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
TripsReason for journey1  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOtherTotal
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Total same-day trips (i.e. no overnight in Ireland) ('000s)514815202340148186236294
Area of residence (%)          
Great Britain80796053496037354947
Other Europe15131422141427222220
All other areas592624372736432834
All residencies100100100100100100100100100100
1 The contents of this table should be interpreted with caution due to small sample sizes.
Table 3a Percentage distribution of overseas same-day trips to Ireland by non-residents cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Years 2015 and 2016
TripsReason for journey1  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOtherTotal
 2015201620152016201520162015201620152016
Total same-day trips (i.e. no overnight in Ireland) ('000s)1892205978931375527218941,157
Area of residence (%)
Great Britain83815252434736344846
Other Europe12122020151624222019
All other areas572928423740443235
All residencies100100100100100100100100100100
1 The contents of this table should be interpreted with caution due to small sample sizes.
Table 4 Number of bednights spent in Ireland by non-residents on overseas trips cross classified by type of accommodation used and area of residence, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
           '000
BednightsArea of Residence   
Great BritainOther EuropeUSA & CanadaAll Other AreasTotal
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel1,0091,0581,1761,2779801,263337373 3,5013,971
    Guest House/B&B176164610546259351173164 1,2171,225
    Rented House/Apartment2392629711,112370570490480 2,0712,424
    Friends/Relatives1,2981,4581,1681,432393457537490 3,3953,836
    Other4935521,378979439551314233 2,6242,315
    Total3,2143,4955,3025,3452,4413,1921,8511,740 12,80913,772
Table 4a Number of bednights spent in Ireland by non-residents on overseas trips cross classified by type of accommodation used and area of residence, Years 2015 and 2016
           '000
BednightsArea of Residence   
Great BritainOther EuropeUSA & CanadaAll Other AreasTotal
 20152016201520162015201620152016 20152016
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel4,3454,5546,5877,0885,0445,3851,3971,495 17,37518,522
    Guest House/B&B8841,0483,6294,0771,5892,080627649 6,7297,854
    Rented House/Apartment1,2991,3775,0455,3451,6051,7031,4781,962 9,42910,387
    Friends/Relatives6,1456,6745,2905,8861,7792,0362,5812,624 15,79417,219
    Other2,4972,7856,3036,6101,6401,8091,4601,213 11,90012,417
    Total15,17116,43726,85529,00611,65813,0137,5437,943 61,22866,399
Table 5 Number of bednights spent in Ireland by non-residents on overseas trips cross classified by type of accommodation used and reason for journey, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
           '000
BednightsReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel9811,0714504321,9862,3808488 3,5013,971
    Guest House/B&B15383147181659778258184 1,2171,225
    Rented House/Apartment4054961991302974431,1691,356 2,0712,424
    Friends/Relatives2063502,5562,823487493146171 3,3953,836
    Other2752334455048177131,086865 2,6242,315
    Total2,0202,2333,7974,0704,2484,8062,7432,664 12,80913,772
Table 5a Number of bednights spent in Ireland by non-residents on overseas trips cross classified by type of accommodation used and reason for journey, Years 2015 and 2016
           '000
BednightsReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20152016201520162015201620152016 20152016
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel3,4713,8561,7941,76911,67612,369433528 17,37518,522
    Guest House/B&B4015076637954,6455,5491,0211,003 6,7297,854
    Rented House/Apartment1,8112,3008638522,2172,4434,5384,792 9,42910,387
    Friends/Relatives85188211,55812,7292,6212,844764764 15,79417,219
    Other1,1091,2181,9592,1984,8125,0254,0203,975 11,90012,417
    Total7,6448,76416,83718,34325,97028,23010,77611,062 61,22866,399
Table 6 Estimated average length of stay (nights) by non-residents on all overseas trips to Ireland classified by area of residence and reason for journey, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
        Nights
 201420152016 2015 2016
Average length of stay
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
All overseas trips to Ireland 7.27.16.9 6.57.07.96.4 6.56.77.76.4
Trips by area of residence         
    Great Britain4.54.34.2 4.14.25.13.6 3.84.05.03.8
    France8.88.69.4 8.18.59.87.6 8.39.910.67.4
    Germany9.59.58.6 10.110.49.18.5 7.98.39.57.9
    Italy9.58.67.8 6.66.910.78.5 5.37.59.96.4
    Other Europe9.08.78.9 8.48.210.17.5 9.68.29.78.0
    USA & Canada7.47.77.2 7.07.77.88.0 6.96.77.47.7
    Australia & New Zealand12.512.312.5 14.010.712.912.2 14.212.511.912.3
    All other areas14.815.115.6 14.814.315.215.9 18.015.315.214.5
Trips by reason for journey         
    Business5.65.35.7 4.85.56.05.1 5.35.26.55.9
    Visit to Friends/Relatives7.47.37.2 7.26.88.76.5 7.46.68.26.4
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation6.66.56.4 5.06.37.85.3 4.86.37.75.5
    Other12.111.910.0 14.913.49.212.5 13.210.68.010.3
Table 6a Estimated average length of stay (nights) by non-residents on all overseas trips to Ireland cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
Nights
Average length of stayReason for journey  
 BusinessVisit to Friends/Relatives Holiday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Area of Residence           
Great Britain2.63.34.85.03.63.61.41.3 3.63.8
France7.26.65.76.65.55.417.016.5 7.67.4
Germany4.99.06.76.75.76.233.320.0 8.57.9
Italy10.76.57.46.44.86.022.97.4 8.56.4
Other Europe7.610.17.16.85.35.415.317.0 7.58.0
USA & Canada6.45.39.78.87.57.39.09.3 8.07.7
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)11.612.914.713.78.38.739.032.8 14.613.6
Total5.15.96.56.45.35.512.510.3 6.46.4
Table 6b Estimated average length of stay (nights) by non-residents on all overseas trips to Ireland cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Years 2015 and 2016
Nights
Average length of stayReason for journey  
 BusinessVisit to Friends/Relatives Holiday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20152016201520162015201620152016 20152016
Area of Residence           
Great Britain2.72.85.45.34.54.32.21.7 4.34.2
France7.38.06.67.36.97.819.921.5 8.69.4
Germany7.26.68.06.88.28.229.118.2 9.58.6
Italy8.88.37.97.85.86.118.012.1 8.67.8
Other Europe8.310.48.68.46.66.617.516.3 8.78.9
USA & Canada6.75.79.79.47.67.37.05.9 7.77.2
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)11.512.016.515.99.09.728.230.0 14.014.4
Total5.35.77.37.26.56.411.910.0 7.16.9
Table 7 Expenditure by non-residents on overseas trips to Ireland classified by type of trip, area of residence, reason for journey and total overseas tourism and travel earnings, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
        € million
 201420152016 2015 2016
Estimated expenditure
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) (1)3,5484,2084,577 5901,1941,551873 6931,2611,693930
Fare receipts of Irish carriers from overseas travellers to Ireland (2)1,166 11,3221,479 2 190372486275 233394548304 2
Total overseas tourism and travel earnings (1) + (2) 4,714 15,5306,056 2 7801,5662,0371,148 9261,6552,2411,234 2
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) by trip type            
    Same-day trips413848 991010 9141212
    Overnight trips3,5074,1694,529 5821,1851,541862 6841,2471,680918
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) by area of residence             
    Great Britain8859711,061 181246309236 214269337241
    France202236274 33788441 429210338
    Germany334397388 4114614466 4412215963
    Italy132153175 24327026 22448821
    Other Europe639771821 117192301161 137208324151
    USA & Canada9351,1971,335 125375470226 144394494303
    Australia & New Zealand177200204 27527942 31527645
    All other areas244283319 43729275 607911268
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding             
 fares) by reason for journey            
    Business587675724 151172163189 148198186191
    Visit to Friends/Relatives 784803864 151198256197 191199270204
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation1,8232,3302,547 2197171,002392 2827381,073455
    Other353400443 6910612996 7212716380
1 The total tourism and travel earnings for 2014 were revised due to a change in the methodology used to calculate fare receipts of Irish Carriers.
2 Provisional data that may be subject to future revisions.
Table 7a Total expenditure (excl fares) by non-residents on overseas trips to Ireland cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Quarter 4 2015 and Quarter 4 2016
€ million
Estimated expenditureReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016 Oct-Dec 2015Oct-Dec 2016
Area of Residence
Great Britain64637683908758 236241
France6886171896 4138
Germany9109113235176 6663
Italy663313943 2621
Other Europe4838333855592616 161151
USA & Canada313630341482061827 226303
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)2531382837411613 116113
Total1891911972043924559680 873930
Table 7b Total expenditure (excl fares) by non-residents on overseas trips to Ireland cross classified by area of residence and reason for journey, Years 2015 and 2016
€ million
Estimated expenditureReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20152016201520162015201620152016 20152016
Area of Residence           
Great Britain2262343163444034552528 9711,061
France263124291491753740 236274
Germany384327322952853828 397388
Italy2026161877844047 153175
Other Europe170161124143353391125126 771821
USA & Canada1121301361438699637998 1,1971,335
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)81991601541851945676 482524
Total6757248038642,3302,547400443 4,2084,577
Table 8 Number of overseas trips by Irish residents classified by mode of travel, type of trip, route of travel and reason for journey, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
         '000
 201420152016 2015 2016
Trips
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total overseas trips by Irish residents6,5146,9657,405 1,3061,9282,1861,5451,4781,9752,2531,699
Trips by mode of travel           
     Air6,0596,5617,023 1,2451,8242,0101,4821,4251,8782,0851,635
     Sea456404382 6110417663529716864
Trips by type           
    Same-day trips 189184181 3253485042453164
    Overnight trips 6,3266,7817,224 1,2741,8752,1381,4951,4361,9312,2221,635
Trips by route of travel           
    Cross channel2,5962,6172,683 574661736646617665716685
    Continental3,5153,7724,142 6201,1261,2687587441,1671,362869
    Transatlantic & Other Routes404577580 112141183140116143175145
Trips by reason for journey           
    Business790890817 172284202232188236157236
    Visit to Friends/Relatives1,5651,6841,751 436400419429468394430459
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation4,0044,2094,563 6711,1941,5158287981,2741,589902
    Other 156182273 27495056 237177102
Table 9 Estimated average length of stay (nights) by Irish residents on all overseas trips classified by route of travel and reason for journey, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
         Nights
 201420152016 2015 2016
Average length of stay
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
All overseas trips by Irish residents8.17.67.6 7.16.89.56.17.27.19.46.0
Trips by route of travel        
    Cross channel5.95.05.0 4.94.46.54.04.94.66.44.0
    Continental9.48.48.6 7.87.510.37.17.98.010.57.0
    Transatlantic & Other Routes11.013.611.9 14.612.216.211.014.811.112.89.5
Trips by reason for journey           
    Business4.03.73.6 3.73.05.53.13.23.35.03.1
    Visit to Friends/Relatives7.26.85.8 8.16.07.75.57.24.96.15.0
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation9.18.68.9 7.17.810.77.38.18.210.87.5
    Other 11.18.47.5 12.310.66.66.3 7.110.98.84.2
Table 10 Estimated expenditure by Irish residents on overseas trips classified by reason for journey and total overseas tourism and travel expenditure, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
        € million
 201420152016 2015 2016
Estimated expenditure
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total expenditure (including fares) (1)5,4425,8436,3509801,4752,0961,2921,1811,5532,2311,385
Fare payments by Irish travellers abroad to Irish carriers (2)1,074 11,1481,240 2186305416242210310460259 2
Total overseas tourism and travel expenditure (1) - (2) 4,368 14,6955,110 27941,1701,6801,0509711,2431,7711,126 2
Total expenditure (including fares) by reason for journey          
    Business602650606122200175153125184128169
    Visit to Friends/Relatives907968936266214253236250190244252
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation3,8184,0894,6085711,0271,6308607941,1281,787899
    Other 114136199 21343843 13517164
1 The total tourism and travel expenditure for 2014 were revised due to a change in the methodology used to calculate fare payments to Irish Carriers.
2 Provisional data that may be subject to future revisions.
Table 11 Tourism and travel estimated earnings from non-residents on overseas trips to Ireland and expenditure by Irish residents on overseas trips, 2014 - Quarter 4 2016
        € million
Estimated earnings and expenditure2014 120152016 2015 2016
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Overseas tourism and travel earnings from trips to Ireland4,7145,5306,056 2 7801,5662,0371,1489261,6552,2411,234 2
Overseas tourism and travel expenditure by Irish travellers abroad 4,3684,6955,110 2 7941,1701,6801,0509711,2431,7711,126 2
Tourism and travel balance346835946 2 -1439635798 -45412470108 2
1 The total tourism and travel earnings and expenditure for 2014 were revised due to a change in the methodology used to calculate fare payments to Irish Carriers.
2 Provisional data that may be subject to future revisions.

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 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 2016 was 34,000 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 are included in the estimates of trips and expenditure for the Tourism and Travel release and are treated in the same manner as same-day visits. They are surveyed for the Passenger Card Inquiry.

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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