Ireland experienced a significant drop in foreign visitor numbers in February, with figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealing a 30% decline compared to the same period last year.
According to the CSO, 304,300 international visitors arrived in Ireland last month, down from 433,300 in February 2024. This follows a similar trend observed in January when visitor numbers fell by 25%, dropping from 451,900 in January 2024 to 338,900 this year.
The decline extended beyond arrivals, impacting both the duration of stays and overall spending. Visitors in February spent a total of 1.8 million nights in the country, representing a 33% reduction from February last year. The average length of stay also shortened slightly to 5.9 nights, compared to 6.2 nights in February 2024.
Spending patterns mirrored this downward trend, with visitors spending a total of €195.6 million on their trips—down 31% from the previous year. The average cost per trip, excluding fares, decreased to €643, compared to €655 in February 2024.
The CSO report highlighted that British tourists made up the largest group of visitors, accounting for 49% of the total, while US visitors formed the second-largest group at 10%. The most common reason for traveling to Ireland was to visit family and friends, with 37% of visitors citing this as their primary purpose.
Accommodation preferences also shifted, with more visitors opting to stay in their own properties or with family and friends. This category accounted for 44% of all stays, making it the most popular accommodation choice.
The sharp decline in visitor numbers and spending raises concerns for Ireland’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on international travel. Industry experts will be closely monitoring trends in the coming months to assess potential recovery prospects.
