This chapter presents information on the tourism sector of the Irish economy. The tourism and travel information covers earnings and expenditure from tourism and travel as well as detailing the number of trips to Ireland classified by area of residence and reason for journey. Details of foreign and domestic travel by Irish residents classified by region visited and reason for journey are also included.

Interactive table: StatBank link

In 2013, almost 7 million overseas trips were made by non-residents to Ireland compared to over 6.5 million trips in 2012, an increase of 7.2%.  Residents of Great Britain took over 2.9 million trips to Ireland during 2013, an increase of 155,000 trips compared to 2012. The average length of stay in Ireland by all overseas travellers fell marginally from 7.4 nights in 2012 to 7.3 nights in 2013.  The most important overseas markets in terms of non-fare expenditure within Ireland in 2013 were Great Britain (26%) and USA and Canada (25%).

Interactive table: StatBank link

The number of overseas trips to Ireland for the purpose of holiday/leisure/recreation increased by 227,000 trips between 2012 and 2013, to almost 3.1 million trips, a rise of 8%. During the same period, the number of trips to visit friends and relatives rose by 197,000 trips to over 2 million trips, an increase of 10.8%.

Excluding fares, expenditure by overseas travellers increased by 11.9% in 2013, from €2,916 million in 2012 to €3,262 million. Of this €3,262 million, 52% was spent by overseas travellers for holiday/leisure/recreation purposes, 21% by those travelling to visit friends and relatives, 18% by business travellers and the remaining 10% by those travelling for 'Other' reasons.

Interactive tables: StatBank link

Almost 6.6 million outbound trips were undertaken by Irish residents in 2013. The average length of stay on outbound trips was 7.9 nights, varying between 6.7 nights within the European Union, 13.5 nights in North America and 31.0 nights in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. Irish residents spent a total of €5,392.5 million on outbound trips during 2013, almost two thirds (65%) of this expenditure was spent within the European Union.

Interactive table: StatBank link

In 2013, Irish residents took over 7.1 million domestic trips. The average length of stay on domestic trips was 2.9 nights, resulting in a total of 20.6 million bed nights. Almost half of all domestic trips (49%) were classified as holidays, while 34% were to visit friends or relatives. Total expenditure on domestic trips for 2013 amounted to €1,373.2 million.  Expenditure by Irish residents on holidays rose by 7.1% in 2013 to €840.3 million.

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