There was some positive news recently after figures published by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland showed that the number of visitors who planned Ireland vacations increased during the first half of 2014.
The encouraging tourism figures, welcomed by Tourism Ireland, showed an increase of almost 10% in the numbers of overseas figures planning trips to Ireland for the first six months of 2014, resulting in an additional 324,400 visitors in comparison to the same period in 2013.
The famous Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, welcomed the figures by stating:
“I am delighted to report that we are seeing growth from all of our market areas around the world this year”
From closer inspection, the figures revealed that the number of visitors from the UK increased by as much as 14% (+176,100 visitors). This year is also on course to be another record one for vacations to Ireland from North America, with an increase of close to 11% (+54,900 visitors) recorded for the first half of 2014.
There were encouraging figures for those visiting from key tourism markets in continental Europe including Germany (+18%), Spain (+22%), Italy (+4%) and our long-haul markets (+14%).
Niall Gibbons continued, “We are determined to ensure that tourism growth continues. We are undertaking an extensive program of promotions around the world throughout 2014 which includes a major focus on the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as on major events like Limerick City of Culture and the Croke Park Classic, when the University of Central Florida takes on Penn State in their college football season opener, on August 30.”