Overseas visitors increase overall but fall in UK tourists

DESPITE the fears from the Wicklow branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, Deputy Andrew Doyle had a more positive outlook on the figures released by the CSO.

‘Wicklow has seen an increase in overseas visitor numbers of 62,000 since 2010 – this is great news for the county,’ he said.

‘ The first seven months of this year have seen over five-and-a-half million visitors to our shores. Overall trips to Ireland were up 3.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2016.

‘ The tourism sector has played a crucial role in the Irish economic recovery. Measures such as the retention of the nine per cent VAT rate on tourism services have been significant in helping our tourism sector weather the recession.

‘ The figures show that the number of North American and European visitors continues to surge ahead, despite a slight drop in numbers from the UK.

‘Regionally, the numbers employed in tourism continue to grow with an increase of 3,000 in the mid–east region since 2011. These jobs are vital to our economy and communities.

‘We have seen a number of great successes in tourism over the last number of years with Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East proving enormously successful.

‘ The Government has also directed Fáilte Ireland to develop the ‘Ireland’s Lakelands’ brand as a separate proposition. To assist with sustainability of tourist accommodation and small tourism ventures, a support scheme will be introduced for businesses operating along these routes,’ said Minister Doyle.