Ireland is the Second Most Popular Tourist Destination in the World on Facebook

Communications Officer with Tourism Ireland, Ms Sinead Grace, said this week that independent research has shown that interest in visiting Ireland still remains high.
Ireland is the Second Most Popular Tourist Destination in the World on Facebook
8/9/2011
Updated:
10/1/2015

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Russian sailors visiting Dublin ((Martin Murphy/The Epoch Times) )

Communications Officer with Tourism Ireland, Ms Sinead Grace, said this week that independent research has shown that interest in visiting Ireland still remains high. Ireland is ranked 6th in Great Britain and the US on people’s wish list of holiday destinations, and at number 4 in France. Worldwide, Ireland is the second most popular destination after Australia.

According to Irish tour operators and travel companies, the decline in visitors from around the world coincided with media reports of Ireland’s decent into recession. According to Colm Noonan from the Central Statistics Office, the figures show an increase in tourism and, in the first quarter of 2011, the number of overseas trips to Ireland increased by 8.6 per cent to 1,177,600, an overall increase of 92,800 visitors compared to the same period 12 months earlier. Trips from residents of the EU countries and Great Britain increased to 399,000 and 564,300 respectively.

“The number of tourists visiting Ireland is definitely on the up, and this rising trend is expected to continue. The tourists are coming from the usual markets of Great Britain, the US, France and Germany, and there is increasing interest in the Asian markets, where we have established offices,” said Ms Grace.

A survey done by Failte Ireland among overseas and domestic visitors to the south west of the country indicates that 8 out of 10 people say that they were satisfied with the holiday; 86 per cent said that the holiday represented good value. The majority would recommend the holiday, citing as the main attractions the scenery, the history and culture, and many said that Ireland is a great place to relax with their family and friends.
Chairman of Abbey Tours, Mr Brian MacColgan, said, “The tourism industry runs in cyclical periods of ups and downs; from the year 2000 onwards we had what would be considered the golden years, when visitors were flocking to the country, and this peaked a few years back.” The last few years, according to Mr MacColgan, have been tough. In tough times, however, we have to work harder at promoting the country, alongside travel partners all over the world who enthusiastically promote Ireland.

“We also promote Ireland around the world at International Trade Fairs, where we meet clients/decision makers face to face, said Mr MacColgan. “Visitor numbers have increased this year by 10 per cent, and the reports we get back from tour operators and people in the business are that the satisfaction levels are very high - with the hotel standards and the prices in particular.

“If there is a negative side, it would be that the cost of small items, e.g. a cup of coffee or a glass of beer, is too expensive,” said Mr MacColgan, who added that tourism is poised for growth. “There has been an overall price reduction and the country has never looked better, with the superb infrastructure and roads.”

Managing Director of Eirebus, Mr Paddy Kavanagh, said, “Golf tourism is definitely on the increase, but my overall figures for incoming tourists are only marginally higher: I have had to contract out some of my buses to countries abroad.

“I would like to see the Government do something to promote group tourism, and also to promote the traditional system where tourists used their tour operator to book a trip. Slashing the cost of diesel would also help. I would like to see the country being made more accessible with more flights available,” said Mr Kavanagh.

Failte Ireland’s Louise Bray said that, while the numbers of Irish people travelling abroad has decreased significantly, the home market has remained stable with Irish residents taking 4 million domestic holidays since 2008.

“Our focus groups indicate that there is a desire for the consumer to get away from it all and leave their worries behind. So while consumers are cutting back, they are allowing themselves little treats to help them through the austerity. 85 per cent of Irish holiday makers are satisfied with the value for money on their holiday in Ireland.

Indications are that there will be increasing numbers of overseas visitors this year. Coupled with this fact, one third of Irish people say that they will holiday at home this year,” said Ms Bray.

Almost 6 million euro was announced for projects across Ireland last week by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar TD. Those projects are the Book of Kells (2.7 million euro), Garnish Island (2.4 million), Killarney Downhill Mountain Bike Trail (430,353), and Lough Rinn infrastructure (212, 250).