Visitor numbers to Ireland increase by 6%

The number of visitors to Ireland in 2005 was up more than 6% on the same period in 2004, figures show today.

Paul O'Toole of Tourism Ireland. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien

A report by the Central Statistics Office shows there were 6.9 million trips to Ireland in 2005, an increase of 403,200 on the previous year's total of 6.5 million.

The figures show a large increase in the number of visitors from mainland Europe with 311,800 more travelling in 2005 that in the previous year, an increase of 19.5%.

Britain continues to be the largest source of visitors to Ireland with over 3.84 million visitors in 2005, an overall increase of 3.9% or 144,100 on the previous year.

However, the number of trips from North America continues to decline with a total drop of 25,700 equaling a -2.7% percentage drop in 2005.

The CSO figures also showed Irish travellers made 6.1 million trips abroad in 2005, an increase of 695,100 on the previous year's figure.

Tourism Ireland welcomed the figures but warned of the volatility of the North American and long haul markets.

Mr Paul O'Toole, Chief Executive, said Tourism Ireland was very pleased with the 6 per cent increase last year particularly when the projected growth rate in Western Europe for 2005 was just 4.3%.

He said Ireland had gained market share against strong traditional markets. However, Mr O'Toole warned that "the going was tough" last year for some individual enterprises, sectors and regions.

"Tourism Ireland is placing considerable emphasis and additional investment on helping to improve tourism spread to more rural areas this year," he said.

Mr O'Toole added that "prospects look good for 2006, particularly with the Ryder Cup, one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world calendar taking place here in September.

"It's a unique and wonderful platform to showcase the island of Ireland around the world.

We are exploiting every possible avenue to maximize this global exposure for Ireland as a premier holiday destination, for Ryder Cup year and beyond." said Mr O'Toole.