Ireland’s inbound and domestic tourism industry is set to see continued revenue growth in 2025 – following a mixed year in 2024 – but only if the new Government takes a pro-tourism and pro-enterprise approach, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has said.
ITIC has estimated that 6.6 million international tourists visited Ireland during 2024, with combined spend rising by 13% to €6.2bn. However, the flip side of that was a 3% dip in the length of time they spent here, with bed nights dropping. Once again, it was North American visitors driving the growth.
In its end of year review, ITIC said: “As one year draws to a close, and another commences, Ireland’s tourism industry continues to show resilience despite being buffeted by challenges at home and facing an increasingly uncertain geopolitical context abroad. Once again the sector underpinned its role as Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer with 257,900 people working in tourism and hospitality businesses nationwide.
“The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) estimates that €6.2 billion, excluding fares, was spent by international visitors to the country this year, up 13% on last year, with North America the biggest single source market. The number of nights spent by tourists in the country, a key metric, was down 3%. CSO data for the domestic market showed strong growth for the first half of the year although sentiment and industry intelligence suggest a softer second 6 months.”
“With a new Government about to be formed ITIC believes that the incoming administration need to focus on improving competitiveness, mitigating against cost of business pressures and relieving capacity pressures, most notably by lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. Ireland’s tourism industry must be viewed as an engine for growth and the sector should be represented by a Minister within an economic portfolio.
“Despite cost and competitiveness challenges ITIC believes tourism revenue can grow by between 5%-7% in real terms in 2025 although volume growth will be at a lower rate due to capacity blockages. Industry is up for delivering this level of growth whilst also meeting climate action obligations however it must be enabled by pro-tourism and pro-enterprise policies from the new Government.”
