The Restaurants Association of Ireland Welcomes Encouraging CSO Figures Showing Strong Growth in Overseas Tourism in 2015
New CSO figures released confirm strong growth in revenue figures from overseas visitors for the period covering June to August 2015. The Tourism and Travel statistics show that total overseas trips to Ireland during this period were up by 12% on the corresponding period in 2014. British trips increased by 11% from January to August while North American visitor trips were up by 14%. Trips to Ireland from mainland European countries grew by 13% in the 8 month period.
Welcoming the encouraging figures, Chief Executive of The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said, “While the new CSO figures are promising and show that we are making a recovery back to 2007 levels, there are still parts of the country not benefiting from the recovery. The Government needs to look at helping struggling parts of the country. The West Coast for example only see tourism for three months of the year but they need at least six months of the year.” Mr. Cummins continued; “Tourism is seasonal, especially in rural areas. A spatial strategy needs to be implemented to help struggling parts of the country. Central areas in Ireland have been left behind in the economic recovery.”
The CSO figures are based on detailed surveys of overseas visitors. Visitor numbers from all other long haul areas rose by 9% for the year to August.