Back to Top

 Skip navigation

Extra information
Methodology Previous Releases
International comparison:
Eurostat
See also:
YouTube Video
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 2017

  Overseas trips to Ireland Trips by Irish residents overseas
‘000 ‘000
Reason for journeyOct - Dec 2016Oct - Dec 2017 Oct - Dec 2016Oct - Dec 2017
Business378354 236227
Visits to Friends/Relatives636667 459406
Holiday/Leisure/Recreation866968 9021,050
Other259282 10273
Total2,1392,271 1,6991,756

Overseas trips to Ireland increased by 6.2% for the period October to December 2017

go to full release

Quarter 4 2017 Results

Overseas trips to Ireland:

  • The number of overseas trips to Ireland by non-residents increased from 2.139 million in Quarter 4 2016 to 2.271 million trips in Quarter 4 2017 (+6.2%). See table 1.
  • The number of nights spent in Ireland by overseas travellers increased by 13.4% in Quarter 4 2017 compared with the same period of the previous year, up from 13.8 million to 15.6 million. See table 4.
  • The average duration of overseas trips to Ireland rose  from 6.4 nights in Quarter 4 2016 to 6.9 nights in Quarter 4 2017. See table 6.
  • Total tourism and travel earnings from overseas travellers to Ireland increased by 10.9% between Quarter 4 2016 and Quarter 4 2017, increasing from €1,242 million to €1,377 million. When fares are excluded, total expenditure increased from €930 million to €1,046 million, an increase of 12.5% over the period. See table 7.

Trips by Irish residents overseas:

  • In Quarter 4 2017, the number of trips made by Irish residents overseas increased by 3.4%, from 1.699 million trips in Quarter 4 2016 to 1.756 million. See table 8.
  • The average duration of overseas trips made by Irish residents remained the same at 6.0 nights in both Quarter 4 2016 and Quarter 4 2017. See table 9.
  • Total tourism and travel expenditure by Irish residents overseas decreased by 1.0%, down from €1,118 million in Quarter 4 2016 to €1,107 million in Quarter 4 2017. When all fares are included, total expenditure on overseas trips increased by 0.6%, from €1,385 million to €1,394 million. See table 10.

 2017 Annual Results

Overseas trips to Ireland:

  • In 2017, a total of 9.932 million overseas trips were made to Ireland compared to 9.584 million trips in 2016 (+3.6%). See table 1.
  • Overseas travellers to Ireland spent a total of 68.7 million nights in the country in 2017 compared to 66.4 million nights the previous year (+3.4%). See table 4a.
  • Overseas travel to Ireland generated earnings of €6,485 million in 2017 compared to €6,064 million in 2016 (+6.9%). When fares are excluded, total expenditure in 2017 was €4,874 million, an increase of 6.5% on 2016. See table 7.

Trips by Irish residents overseas:

  • Irish residents made a total of 7.939 million overseas trips in 2017 compared to 7.405 million trips in 2016 (+7.2%). These trips lasted an average of 7.2 nights in 2017, compared to 7.6 nights in 2016 (-5.3%). See tables 8 and 9.
  • Total tourism and travel expenditure on overseas travel by Irish residents increased by 2.2% to €5,217 million in 2017.  When fares are included, total expenditure by Irish residents on overseas trips rose from €6,350 million in 2016 to €6,594 million (+3.8%). 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, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
       '000
 201520162017 2016 2017
Trips
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total overseas trips to the Republic of Ireland8,6439,5849,932 1,7852,5993,0622,139 1,7962,7693,0962,271
Trips by mode of travel              
    Air7,7828,7409,095 1,6662,3722,7081,995 1,7022,5152,7492,129
    Sea861844837 118227354145 94255347142
Trips by type             
    Same-day trips 8941,1571,206 190301372294 224317371294
    Overnight trips 7,7498,4288,726 1,5942,2982,6891,846 1,5722,4522,7251,977
Trips by route of travel             
    Cross channel4,3794,7574,404 1,0031,2601,4261,067 9321,1741,2391,058
    Continental3,0763,4163,716 6119681,102735 6231,0581,178857
    Transatlantic & Other Routes1,1881,4111,812 171371534336 241537678355
Trips by area of residence             
    Great Britain3,5473,9243,729 8511,0141,148911 7969491,065918
    France505531549 9816517198 107169164109
    Germany629652681 104192223133 99210225148
    Italy321344363 629612958 609713076
    Other Europe1,5881,7741,888 336476562400 329546568445
    USA & Canada1,5141,8082,101 238520638412 293629733447
    Australia & New Zealand207204208 31517349 35547643
    All other areas331346411 648611779 7611513585
Trips by reason for journey             
    Business1,4411,5391,478 364434363378 351413360354
    Visit to Friends/Relatives2,2972,5532,566 555632730636 548632719667
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation4,0014,3884,710 6911,2571,574866 6911,4191,632968
    Other 9041,1051,178 175276394259 206305384282
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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
TripsReason for journey  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Total trips with at least one overnight in Ireland ('000s)3303056166458279327395 1,8461,977
Area of residence (%)           
Great Britain4742545633311713 4240
France554456710 55
Germany774498612 77
Italy432334116 34
Other Europe2125211718212832 2021
USA & Canada11119926252017 1717
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)676666119 66
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 2016 and 2017
TripsReason for journey  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20162017201620172016201720162017 20162017
Total trips with at least one overnight in Ireland ('000s)1,3181,2732,4762,4874,2514,573383393 8,4288,726
Area of residence (%)       
Great Britain4744565631271413 4037
France55447798 66
Germany6634101079 77
Italy3422441411 44
Other Europe2225181618203233 1920
USA & Canada111091124271618 1719
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)66785689 67
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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
TripsReason for journey1  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOtherTotal
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Total same-day trips (i.e. no overnight in Ireland) ('000s)484820224037186187294294
Area of residence (%)          
Great Britain79735342605235354744
Other Europe13132217141522202018
All other areas9142442273343453438
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 2016 and 2017
TripsReason for journey1  
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOtherTotal
 2016201720162017201620172016201720162017
Total same-day trips (i.e. no overnight in Ireland) ('000s)22020578791371377217841,1571,206
Area of residence (%)
Great Britain81775244474434304641
Other Europe12142018161922231921
All other areas792838373744473538
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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
           '000
BednightsArea of Residence   
Great BritainOther EuropeUSA & CanadaAll Other AreasTotal
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel1,0589561,2771,2591,2631,265373334 3,9713,814
    Guest House/B&B164225546813351497164154 1,2251,689
    Rented House/Apartment2622611,1121,778570421480789 2,4243,248
    Friends/Relatives1,4581,5361,4321,247457446490610 3,8363,840
    Other5526309791,617551417233366 2,3153,030
    Total3,4953,6095,3456,7123,1923,0471,7402,254 13,77215,621
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 2016 and 2017
           '000
BednightsArea of Residence   
Great BritainOther EuropeUSA & CanadaAll Other AreasTotal
 20162017201620172016201720162017 20162017
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel4,5544,0277,0887,1315,3856,4021,4951,623 18,52219,183
    Guest House/B&B1,0481,1744,0774,1912,0802,533649696 7,8548,594
    Rented House/Apartment1,3771,4355,3455,4801,7031,6331,9622,277 10,38710,825
    Friends/Relatives6,6746,6175,8865,1362,0362,1772,6243,038 17,21916,969
    Other2,7853,2146,6106,7451,8091,7811,2131,341 12,41713,082
    Total16,43716,46829,00628,68313,01314,5257,9438,976 66,39968,652
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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
           '000
BednightsReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel1,0711,0264324212,3802,2918877 3,9713,814
    Guest House/B&B831841811997781,012184294 1,2251,689
    Rented House/Apartment4967961301974435361,3561,718 2,4243,248
    Friends/Relatives3502372,8232,800493521171282 3,8363,840
    Other2333435044977139618651,229 2,3153,030
    Total2,2332,5854,0704,1144,8065,3212,6643,601 13,77215,621
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 2016 and 2017
           '000
BednightsReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20162017201620172016201720162017 20162017
Type of accommodation used           
    Hotel3,8563,8141,7692,05012,36912,853528465 18,52219,183
    Guest House/B&B5076187958645,5496,1011,0031,010 7,8548,594
    Rented House/Apartment2,3002,4498529332,4432,5464,7924,897 10,38710,825
    Friends/Relatives88276012,72912,2742,8443,080764854 17,21916,969
    Other1,2181,4372,1982,2325,0255,5393,9753,874 12,41713,082
    Total8,7649,07818,34318,35528,23030,11811,06211,101 66,39968,652
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, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
     Nights
 201520162017  2016 2017
Average length of stay
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
All overseas trips to Ireland 7.16.96.9  6.56.77.76.4 6.26.67.66.9
Trips by area of residence              
    Great Britain4.34.24.4  3.84.05.03.8 4.04.35.23.9
    France8.69.49.3  8.39.910.67.4 8.68.19.511.3
    Germany9.58.68.3  7.98.39.57.9 8.47.58.88.7
    Italy8.67.88.5  5.37.59.96.4 5.78.89.09.6
    Other Europe8.78.97.8  9.68.29.78.0 7.17.48.87.8
    USA & Canada7.77.26.9  6.96.77.47.7 6.07.07.36.8
    Australia & New Zealand12.312.512.6  14.212.511.912.3 15.811.212.512.1
    All other areas15.115.615.5  18.015.315.214.5 16.512.014.720.3
Trips by reason for journey              
    Business5.35.76.1  5.35.26.55.9 5.05.76.67.3
    Visit to Friends/Relatives7.37.27.2  7.46.68.26.4 7.46.88.26.2
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation6.56.46.4  4.86.37.75.5 4.96.37.75.5
    Other11.910.09.4  13.210.68.010.3 9.49.27.112.8
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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
Nights
Average length of stayReason for journey 
 BusinessVisit to Friends/Relatives Holiday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Area of Residence           
Great Britain3.33.45.04.73.63.71.32.1 3.83.9
France6.616.66.66.45.46.716.532.8 7.411.3
Germany9.06.66.76.46.26.120.026.5 7.98.7
Italy6.518.06.47.06.04.97.423.3 6.49.6
Other Europe10.110.46.86.15.44.717.018.4 8.07.8
USA & Canada5.37.48.87.37.37.09.35.7 7.76.8
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)12.913.913.717.08.79.832.849.4 13.617.6
Total5.97.36.46.25.55.510.312.8 6.46.9
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 2016 and 2017
Nights
Average length of stayReason for journey  
 BusinessVisit to Friends/Relatives Holiday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20162017201620172016201720162017 20162017
Area of Residence           
Great Britain2.83.65.35.34.34.41.72.0 4.24.4
France8.010.97.36.57.87.321.521.9 9.49.3
Germany6.65.06.87.48.28.018.216.3 8.68.3
Italy8.311.17.87.76.16.012.116.1 7.88.5
Other Europe10.48.18.47.86.66.116.314.2 8.97.8
USA & Canada5.77.09.48.87.37.35.94.1 7.26.9
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)12.013.415.916.69.79.330.029.5 14.414.5
Total5.76.17.27.26.46.410.09.4 6.96.9
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, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
     € million
 201520162017 2016 2017
Estimated expenditure
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) (1)4,2084,5774,874 6931,2611,693930 6841,4081,7361,046
Fare receipts of Irish carriers from overseas travellers to Ireland (2)1,3221,4871,611 1 233394548312 261468551331 1
Total overseas tourism and travel earnings (1) + (2) 5,5306,0646,485 1 9261,6552,2411,242 9451,8762,2871,377 1
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) by trip type             
    Same-day trips384853 9141212 10161314
    Overnight trips4,1694,5294,822 6841,2471,680918 6751,3921,7231,031
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) by area of residence              
    Great Britain9711,0611,007 214269337241 198267303239
    France236274295 429210338 51829963
    Germany397388399 4412215963 4013514678
    Italy153175190 22448821 23558033
    Other Europe771821883 137208324151 121250316196
    USA & Canada1,1971,3351,523 144394494303 152476580315
    Australia & New Zealand200204207 31527645 38537641
    All other areas283319370 607911268 619213781
Total expenditure in Ireland (excluding              
 fares) by reason for journey             
    Business675724766 148198186191 151213199204
    Visit to Friends/Relatives 803864895 191199270204 185218281211
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation2,3302,5472,758 2827381,073455 2838611,106507
    Other400443456 7212716380 65116151124
1 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 2016 and Quarter 4 2017
€ million
Estimated expenditureReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017 Oct-Dec 2016Oct-Dec 2017
Area of Residence
Great Britain635583858789811 241239
France810681833612 3863
Germany10131183541617 6378
Italy683791235 2133
Other Europe3848383159771639 151196
USA & Canada364134352062172723 303315
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)3129283841381317 113122
Total19120420421145550780124 9301,046
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 2016 and 2017
€ million
Estimated expenditureReason for journey   
BusinessVisit to Friends/RelativesHoliday/Leisure/ RecreationOther Total
 20162017201620172016201720162017 20162017
Area of Residence           
Great Britain2342233443444554102830 1,0611,007
France313729311751874040 274295
Germany434332302852892837 388399
Italy2636181984964740 175190
Other Europe161184143130391434126136 821883
USA & Canada1301501431649631,1249886 1,3351,523
All other areas (incl. Australia & New Zealand)99941541781942187687 524577
Total7247668648952,5472,758443456 4,5774,874
Table 8 Number of overseas trips by Irish residents classified by mode of travel, type of trip, route of travel and reason for journey, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
      '000
 201520162017 2016 2017
Trips
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total overseas trips by Irish residents6,9657,4057,939 1,4781,9752,2531,6991,5692,1192,4951,756
Trips by mode of travel            
     Air6,5617,0237,536 1,4251,8782,0851,6351,5162,0092,3191,692
     Sea404382403 5297168645311017664
Trips by type            
    Same-day trips 184181211 4245316459654641
    Overnight trips 6,7817,2247,728 1,4361,9312,2221,6351,5092,0542,4491,715
Trips by route of travel            
    Cross channel2,6172,6832,877 617665716685673738794673
    Continental3,7724,1424,376 7441,1671,3628697791,2171,472908
    Transatlantic & Other Routes577580686 116143175145118163230175
Trips by reason for journey            
    Business890817879 188236157236236240177227
    Visit to Friends/Relatives1,6841,7511,790 468394430459441489455406
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation4,2094,5635,058 7981,2741,5899028551,3451,8081,050
    Other 182273212 237177102 37465673
Table 9 Estimated average length of stay (nights) by Irish residents on all overseas trips classified by route of travel and reason for journey, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
      Nights
 201520162017 2016 2017
Average length of stay
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
All overseas trips by Irish residents7.67.67.2 7.27.19.46.06.06.89.06.0
Trips by route of travel             
    Cross channel5.05.04.8 4.94.66.44.04.54.66.14.0
    Continental8.48.68.2 7.98.010.57.06.97.710.16.9
    Transatlantic & Other Routes13.611.910.3 14.811.112.89.59.610.012.08.7
Trips by reason for journey             
    Business3.73.63.6 3.23.35.03.13.02.95.53.7
    Visit to Friends/Relatives6.85.85.4 7.24.96.15.05.65.16.24.5
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation8.68.98.4 8.18.210.87.57.18.110.17.0
    Other 8.47.56.8 7.110.98.84.2 6.67.36.17.2
Table 10 Estimated expenditure by Irish residents on overseas trips classified by reason for journey and total overseas tourism and travel expenditure, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
     € million
 201520162017 2016 2017
Estimated expenditure
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Total expenditure (including fares) (1)5,8436,3506,5941,1811,5532,2311,3851,1731,6642,3621,394
Fare payments by Irish travellers abroad to Irish carriers (2)1,1481,2471,377 1210310460267221383487287 1
Total overseas tourism and travel expenditure (1) - (2) 4,6955,1035,217 19711,2431,7711,1189521,2811,8751,107 1
Total expenditure (including fares) by reason for journey           
    Business650606617125184128169152164133169
    Visit to Friends/Relatives968936909250190244252236245240188
    Holiday/Leisure/Recreation4,0894,6084,9127941,1281,7878997631,2271,944977
    Other 136199156 13517164 22284660
1 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, 2015 - Quarter 4 2017
     € million
Estimated earnings and expenditure201520162017 2016 2017
    Jan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-DecJan-MarApr-JunJul-SepOct-Dec
Overseas tourism and travel earnings from trips to Ireland5,5306,0646,485 1 9261,6552,2411,2429451,8762,2871,377 1
Overseas tourism and travel expenditure by Irish travellers abroad 4,6955,1035,217 1 9711,2431,7711,1189521,2811,8751,107 1
Tourism and travel balance8359611,268 1 -45412470124 -7595412270 1
1 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 2017 was 48,000 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.

upArrowHide Background Notes

Scan the QR code below to view this release online or go to
http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/tt/tourismandtravelquarter42017/