Inbound Tourism July 2026

Key Figures

Some 676,300 foreign residents completed their visits to Ireland in July 2026, a rise of 5% compared with July 2025. These visitors spent 5.2 million nights in Ireland, showing an increase of 2% with the same month in 2025. The visitors’ average length of stay was 7.6 nights, down from 7.9 nights in July 2025. Visitors spent €681 million on their trips, up 9% compared with July 2025.

Departing Passenger Categories

In total, 2,439,700 passengers departed Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026, a 2% increase compared with July 2025. The majority of departing passengers (60%) were Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes. A further 12% were same day visitors, comprising Northern Ireland residents heading outbound via an airport or seaport in Ireland (5%), foreign resident transfer passengers (5%), or other foreign resident same day visitors (2%). Of the departing passengers, 676,300 were foreign-resident overnight visitors, accounting for 28% of all visitors. 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 676,300 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026, an estimated 217,900 were residents of Great Britain, while a further 174,900 were residents of the United States, and 45,700 were residents of Germany.

Nights in Ireland

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026 spent a total of 5,172,200 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 1,754,000 (34%) of the nights. The next most important visitor group, in terms of nights spent, was North America making up 1,727,900 (33%) of the total nights. Visitors from Great Britain, were the third most important, accounting for a further 1,179,400 (23%) of the nights. Visitors from other residencies accounted for 510,900 (10%) nights.

Reason for Visit

Among the 676,300 foreign visitors departing Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026, more had come for the purpose of a Holiday than for any other reason. Some 337,400 (50%) stated that visiting for Holiday was the main reason for their trip. The next most common reason was for visiting Relatives & Friends, with 193,900 (29%) of the visitors coming for this purpose. A further 75,100 (11%) of the visitors had come for business or work-related reasons.

Accommodation

Among the 676,300 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026, 295,700 (44%) stayed in a hotel as their main accommodation type. Another 222,100 (33%) of the visitors stayed in their own property or with family as their main accommodation type. Around 48,700 (7%) of the foreign visitors used rented/self-catering as their main accommodation type.

Expenditure

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in July 2026 spent an estimated €681 million, excluding fares, on their trips, an increase of 9% compared with July 2025.

The total amount spent by foreign visitors (including fares) was €944 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) at €329 million. The next costliest subheading was accommodation at €322 million. Fare costs were an estimated €263 million, while prepayments (items paid in advance, such as car hire, pre-booked tickets, etc.) were estimated at €30 million.