Inbound Tourism February 2026

Key Figures

Some 404,700 foreign residents completed their visits to Ireland in February 2026, an increase of 33% compared with February 2025. These visitors spent 2.4 million nights in Ireland, showing an increase of 31% with the same month in 2025. The visitors’ average length of stay was 5.8 nights, down 0.1 nights compared with February 2025. Visitors spent €250 million on their trips, up 28% compared with February 2025.

Departing Passenger Categories

In total, 1,384,800 passengers departed Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026, a 7% increase compared with February 2025. The majority of departing passengers (62%) were Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes. A further 9% were same day visitors, comprising Northern Ireland residents heading outbound via an airport or seaport in Ireland (5%), foreign resident transfer passengers (2%), or other foreign resident same day visitors (1%). Some 29% of the departing passengers were foreign resident overnight visitors, constituting 404,700 visitors in total. The remainder of this release focuses exclusively on the characteristics and activities of these foreign resident overnight visitors, referred to simply as foreign visitors.

Detailed Residency

Of the 404,700 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026, an estimated 175,100 were residents of Great Britain, while a further 44,400 were residents of the United States, and 28,800 were residents of Spain & Portugal. 

Nights in Ireland

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026 spent a total of 2,358,100 nights in the country. Broken down by residency, Other European visitors (i.e. European overseas visitors excluding Great Britain) spent more nights in the country than any other residency group, accounting for 945,100 (40%) of the nights. The next most important visitor group, in terms of nights spent, was Great Britain making up 701,400 (30%) of the total nights. Visitors from North America, were the third most important, accounting for a further 500,900 (21%) of the nights. Visitors from other residencies accounted for 210,800 (9%) nights.

Reason for Visit

Among the 404,700 foreign visitors departing Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026, more had come to visit friends and relatives than for any other reason. Some 146,000 (36%) stated that visiting friends and relatives as the main reason for their trip. The next most common reason was for holiday, with 141,600 (35%) of the visitors coming for this purpose. A further 74,800 (18%) of the visitors had come for business or work-related reasons.

Accommodation

Among the 404,700 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026, some 189,200 (47%) stayed in a hotel as their main accommodation type. Another 157,100 (39%) of the visitors stayed in their own property or with family as their main accommodation type. Some 17,900 (4%) of the foreign visitors used rented/self-catering as their main accommodation type.

Expenditure

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in February 2026 spent an estimated €250 million, excluding fares, on their trips, an increase of 28% compared with February 2025.

The total amount spent by foreign visitors (including fares) was €332 million. Broken down by expense category, the costliest subheading was day-to-day spending (incidental expenditures incurred during their visit such as eating out, entrance fees, public transport, etc., but excluding accommodation), amounting to €148 million. The next costliest subheading was accommodation at €96 million. Fare costs were an estimated €82 million, while prepayments (items paid in advance, such as car hire, pre-booked tickets, etc.) were estimated at €7 million.