Inbound Tourism March 2026

Key Figures

Some 510,100 foreign residents completed their visits to Ireland in March 2026, a rise of 16% compared with March 2025. These visitors spent 3.2 million nights in Ireland, showing an increase of 14% with the same month in 2025. The visitors’ average length of stay was 6.4 nights, down 0.1 nights compared with March 2025. Visitors spent €372 million on their trips, up 14% compared with March 2025.

Departing Passenger Categories

In total, 1,758,900 passengers departed Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026, a 12% increase compared with March 2025. The majority of departing passengers (63%) were Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes. A further 8% were same day visitors, comprising Northern Ireland residents heading outbound via an airport or seaport in Ireland (4%), foreign resident transfer passengers (3%), or other foreign resident same day visitors (1%). Some 29% of the departing passengers were foreign resident overnight visitors, constituting 510,100 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 510,100 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026, an estimated 205,400 were residents of Great Britain, while a further 101,600 were residents of the United States, and 29,700 were residents of Germany. 

Nights in Ireland

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026 spent a total of 3,246,400 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 1,277,300 (39%) of the nights. The next most important visitor group, in terms of nights spent, was Great Britain making up 881,500 (27%) of the total nights. Visitors from North America, were the third most important, accounting for a further 847,400 (26%) of the nights. Visitors from other residencies accounted for 240,300 (7%) nights.

Reason for Visit

Among the 510,100 foreign visitors departing Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026, more had come for the purpose of a Holiday than for any other reason. Some 217,600 (43%) stated that visiting for Holiday as the main reason for their trip. The next most common reason was for visiting Relatives & Friends, with 173,400 (34%) of the visitors coming for this purpose. A further 76,100 (15%) of the visitors had come for business or work-related reasons.

Accommodation

Among the 510,100 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026, some 244,300 (48%) stayed in a hotel as their main accommodation type. Another 192,600 (38%) of the visitors stayed in their own property or with family as their main accommodation type. Some 26,900 (5%) of the foreign visitors used rented/self-catering as their main accommodation type.

Expenditure

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in March 2026 spent an estimated €372 million, excluding fares, on their trips, an increase of 14% compared with March 2025.

The total amount spent by foreign visitors (including fares) was €498 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 €213 million. The next costliest subheading was accommodation at €150 million. Fare costs were an estimated €127 million, while prepayments (items paid in advance, such as car hire, pre-booked tickets, etc.) were estimated at €9 million.