Ireland Travel Statistics

While the Irish love their country, they also love to travel. A study in 2017 showed that the Irish were the most globe-trotting people, whether to domestic destinations or abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the travelling market in Ireland and every aspect of the tourism industry, including travel agents and booking domestic or international travel, as made clear by the recent Ireland Travel Statistics.

In this article, we will explore travelling and its meaning for the Irish people, focusing on the most recent travel agent statistics. We will then conclude with some of the top tips—some your travel agent will mention and some of ours—that you need to know before booking your next trip, which hopefully will involve visiting the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland Travel Statistics: Traveling for the Irish People

In 2017, data from Hostelworld, an online hostel booking service, showed that Irish people had booked the most rooms since 2014, followed by Australia and New Zealand. England came in fourth after analyzing hotel bookings made in 170 countries worldwide.

The Irish Travel Agents’ Association conducted a survey, and 73% of its members stated an increase in bookings between April and June 2016. Irish residents took 7.4 million trips the same year, a 6% increase from the previous year.

The ITAA stated that there are several overseas destinations that the Irish prefer over other ones, Spain came in first, including both the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, followed by Portugal and the USA came in third place.

Regarding staycations, Hostelworld provided data based on about 7 million bookings to different accommodations around Ireland, including hotels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and campsites. This shows that the Irish love staycations as well. The most visited domestic destinations were Dublin, Belfast, Galway, and Cork, among the 10 most visited.

Putting the data together by Hostelworld, the most booked destinations by Irish tourists were Dublin, Galway, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Cork, Prague, Belfast, and, lastly, Barcelona.

Latest Air and Sea Travel Statistics October 2022 – Central Statistics Office

The CSO (Central Statistics Office) is Ireland’s national statistical body. At the time of writing, the latest air and sea travel report was released for October 2022. Here are some of the key findings and exciting statistics.

• According to the report, more than 1,633,800 passengers arrived in Ireland on overseas routes in October 2022
• This is an increase of 76.5% in comparison to the same time last year (925,500 passengers in October 2021)
• The vast majority (1,557,200 passengers) arrived by air, while 76,600 arrived by sea.
• 552,600 arrivals came from Great Britain in October 2021. This was more than any other country

Air and Sea Travel Statistics June 2022 – Central Statistics Office

The CSO, or the Central Statistics Office, is the national statistical body in Ireland, and its mission is to neutrally collect and analyze data about the Irish people, their interests, economy, culture, and society. The office’s latest statistics, findings, and older reports are on its official website.

One of the main fields in which the CSO surveys and collects data is the travel and tourism industry, and they’ve recently published their latest report about travelling by air and sea. The report included these numbers:

1. More than 1,703,200 overseas passengers arrived in Ireland in June 2022, compared to only 160,000 in June 2021. This increase starkly contrasts the small number of overseas passengers arriving in Ireland in June 2020, when only 57,100 passengers arrived.
2. Of the total number of overseas passengers, 1,605,700 arrived by air, while the remaining 97,500 arrived in Ireland by sea.
3. Great Britain had the highest number of overseas passengers, 530,600, more than any other country. This number significantly increased from the 57,700 arriving through Great Britain in June 2021.
4. Despite these increasing numbers, they’re still 12% lower than those in Ireland in June 2019, when more than 1,941,100 passengers arrived.

The hard times inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on the travel and tourism industry. Traffic through the main arrival methods to Ireland, air and sea, is still recovering, and the numbers are expected to increase, especially since the peak season has started.

Travel Agent Statistics Ireland

Travel agents are the link between travellers and their desired destinations by helping you with bookings, packages, tips, and itineraries; their roles are often overlooked when looking into tourism and travel industry statistics. What a travel agent offers you is an in-depth insight into your destination and the great deals that work best for you, not to mention that they can provide you with outstanding alternatives to any business that might collapse suddenly.

The Republic of Ireland has the ITAA, or the Irish Travel Agents Association, a certified membership body with about 100 registered travel agents representing more than 140 retailers. The association also conducts surveys of its registered travel agents to keep up with the latest changes in the travel industry and publishes the results on its official website.

According to the second quarterly statistics report published by the ITAA, bookings have increased in the second quarter of 2022. They’ve begun to show a steady increase going into the sunny months of the year, representing the peak season for Irish tourism. These latest statistics state the following:

1. More than 10% of travel agents who are members of the ITAA increased their bookings for the second quarter of 2022, which is from April to June, compared to the same period in 2019.
2. Even though holidaymakers faced many problems after nearly two years of no travelling, such as passport renewals, airport delays, and airline problems, there was a 55% increase in total turnover in the second quarter of 2022, according to the surveyed travel agents. This is accompanied by more than one in five travel agents stating they’d seen an increase in bookings.
3. More than 80% of the travel agents surveyed cited several European destinations as the most favourable for a sunny holiday experience. Portugal, Spain, and Italy were the top sunny destinations. The list also included several other travel destinations for sports travel, honeymooners, adventure holidays, city breaks, sightseeing, couples’ holidays, and cultural holidays.
4. The approach of the peak season and the summer months resulted in an additional 10% increase in bookings and travel.
5. Spain, Portugal, and the USA were the top destinations for overseas travelling during the second quarter of 2022. With the reopening of borders, long-haul flights have also started returning, with trips to Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand added to the list.
6. Almost 70% of ITAA customers are recurring customers, a number that is still rising due to increased travel demand as the world learns to live and cope with COVID-19.

One of the best features of the ITAA official website is the ability to check their Travel Offers. This will allow you to choose the type or purpose of your holiday and show you recommended offers and the travel agents that offer them.

Tips from Travel Agents When Visiting Ireland

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle due to its wondrous shades of green; some say there are over 40 shades on the island. I had no idea that was possible, but it’s made the island a loveable destination for many. Those who visit for the first time leave with a promise to come back again when possible.

Some might seem familiar if this isn’t your first time visiting Ireland. But a little reminder wouldn’t hurt:

1.    Irish Weather:

Rain in Ireland is a daily expectation, hence the island’s lush greenery. Pack for the season, but always add a raincoat or an umbrella as the latest travel to Ireland must-have. You can experience all different seasons in just one day, so you should embrace this as a part of the experience of visiting the island and enjoy your time nonetheless.

2.    Ireland and Northern Ireland:

The Isle of Ireland is the second-most populated European island, comprising the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Knowing the difference between the ROI and NI matters because if you’re in the ROI, for example, and your next stop is in NI, you’ll have to cross the border since NI is part of the United Kingdom.

3.    Currency Dilemma:

As a result of the differences between the countries in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, they both use different currencies. So, while you will need Euros during your time in the ROI, you will need Sterling Pounds in Northern Ireland. However, the widespread existence of ATMs and currency exchanges makes this exchange much more accessible.

4.    Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is essential to have whatever your destination is, and it’s been important even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ireland is considered a pretty safe country to travel to, and the crime rates are not high. However, it’s better to be prepared than sorry, so it’s vital to get specific Ireland Travel Insurance to cover anything that might happen while you’re in Ireland.

5.    How Much Time Do You Need:

How much time do you need to explore Ireland? Well, you could easily spend a month and be fully saturated with the experience—you won’t even feel bored at all. The recommended amount of time is about seven days. This will allow you to live the experience, enjoy your time, and not feel rushed to get through all the items on your itinerary.

6.    Dublin and Other Counties:

The capital city, Dublin, is so tempting that it will lure you in, and you’ll be tempted to spend all your time there. And why not? The town has everything you might think of during a vacation: great places to visit, greenery, pub culture, and intricate architecture.

But, if you ask Dubliners, they will admit that the best part about living in Ireland is what lies beyond the city. It’s easy to book day trips outside of Dublin to sample the lush Irish green scene, but your Irish experience will not be complete unless you book a day or two in one of the other Irish cities, villages, or other counties. One factor that encourages you to make such a trip is that Dublin, the capital city, is much more expensive than these other cities or places.

7.    What The Craic:

The Craic is a word that you’ll be hearing quite often during your visit to Ireland, and you will listen to it paired with almost everything in the country. The word itself can also mean so many things, depending on the context of the speech, but it usually doesn’t defer from meaning “good times”, “entertainment”, or “party”. Beware, though, it can be used to mean either “chatter” or “gossip”, so better pay attention to what’s being said.

If anything, the craic is at the heart of many conversations you can be a part of in Ireland, so put away your mobile phone and immerse yourself in deep conversation with the locals. Otherwise, how are you going to live the experience?

8.    Visiting the Cliffs of Moher:

If this is your time visiting Ireland, you must visit the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. The cliffs have a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. With the views they offer, the cliffs are one of the most visited attractions in Ireland, which means it can get crowded over there. So, the best thing to do is to make your arrival when they open to visitors at 8:00 am. This will allow you some time alone with the cliffs to breathe in your surroundings and take perfect shots.

9.    Tipping in Restaurants and Pubs:

While the tipping culture is not as widespread as in the United States, for example, it’s still nice to tip about 10% or 15% of the tab, whether at a restaurant or a pub. A service tab is usually added to your cheque if you’re a large group. As for taxis, it’s not customary to tip, but it never hurt anyone.

10. Touristic Seasons:

As with any country worldwide, tourism in Ireland is highly seasonal, with July and August being the peak months and the winter months generally being the less popular. However, planning your trip and itinerary will differ slightly depending on your chosen season. One important thing to remember is that booking flights and accommodation will be pricier during the peak season than at any other time. So, book your tickets in advance and watch for any deals or discounts.

You can also try to visit during the shoulder season, which includes April, May, June, September, and October. The prices during this season are less than the peak season, and the weather is bearable since we’re discussing Irish weather here. Opt to visit during the winter season. Some rural attractions have limited visiting hours or are closed due to the weather, while significant attractions are usually open.

11. Choose Any of the Five Airports in Ireland:

When looking at flights to Ireland, cheap flights that are, you need to know there are four other international airports in Ireland besides Dublin Airport. These other airports are Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Knock Airport, and Belfast Airport. More international flights are arriving at Dublin Airport, but when you need to consider a budget, it might be worth checking other airports.

12. Ireland is Budget Friendly:

You can still enjoy your visit to Ireland even if you’re on a budget; this is because, compared to many other European destinations, Ireland is quite affordable. Some of the things to keep in mind while arranging your trip are:

• There are many hostels and small inns in Ireland; booking one will save you a lot of money. This is mainly due to the large number of students and backpackers staying in Ireland; these accommodation options help accommodate this number.
• The public transport system in Ireland is pretty organized, and using public buses to get around can save a lot of money.
• If your booked room or apartment has a small kitchen, it can be great for cooking meals and saving on cash. While no one thinks about cooking as part of a vacation, this can help with quick meals.

13. Live the Irish Countryside Experience:

While it’s easy to explore Ireland through public transport since they have an excellent public transport system or even through the services of a tour company that will take you places and show you around, you’ll love the island just the same. Still, you’ll love it even more with the added adventure of making little discoveries while driving.

Organized tours can be strict and on time, while renting a car and driving around will allow you more time to explore your surroundings. You might find an ancient castle hiding behind dense trees, or you can even go on a road trip to discover the filming sites of the history-making show Game of Thrones. Not to mention, you’ll be driving through the Irish countryside, which is magical on its own, and with your wheels, you have all the time you need to fill your lungs, eyes, and heart with its beauty.

14. Driving in Ireland:

If you’re renting a car in Ireland, either ROI or NI, you need to know that you’ll be driving on the left side of the road. It might take a bit of getting used to, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

15. Look Right:

Following the previous tip, driving on the left-hand side means that when you’re crossing the street, you’ll need to look to your right. If you come from a country that drives on the right side of the road, you’re used to looking left before crossing the street. It’s a bit confusing, but just remember they’re opposites.

16. Languages in Ireland:

While we all know English is widely spoken in Ireland, with the famous Irish accent. However, according to the constitution, Gaelic is also an official language besides English. So, while you’ll get by just fine with your English in Ireland, you might find that the names of many places and attractions are also written in Gaelic and English.

I hope these tips answered as many questions about travelling to Ireland as you might have had. Please comment if you have any further questions about travelling to the Emerald Isle.

We’ll be over here enjoying the craic and waiting for you!