Tourism Ireland comment on overseas tourism figures for 2024

CSO (Central Statistics Office) data published today for the full year of 2024 confirms that we welcomed almost 6.6 million overseas visitors to Ireland last year, up +5% compared to 2023, spending €6 billion, up +11%, making for a positive result for 2024. (For the island as a whole inclusive of Northern Ireland, we have estimated €7 billion in overseas tourism revenue). Great Britain, North America and Mainland Europe all contributed to the growth in visitor spend, with North America the standout region, up +19% compared to 2023. 

As well as year-to-date numbers, the CSO also publishes monthly data. December as a standalone month saw softer metrics, driven by various factors. These included capacity – with the Dublin Airport cap and the closure of Holyhead Port not only reducing capacity but also driving a double-digit increase in fares during December. In December, 5 out of 10 visitors were visiting friends and relatives, up from 3 out of 10 for the rest of the year, due to Christmas. Holidaymakers made up a smaller than usual proportion of total visitors. This is a typical trend in December but may have been exacerbated by trends in capacity and fares. 

Despite strong growth at regional airports, challenges in volumes of visitors may persist through the coming winter months, as the cap at Dublin Airport cap has an impact. While there is a ‘hold’ for legal consideration of the airport cap for summer 2025, there is still impact from applying the cap in winter. Island wide, air seat capacity for the winter from Great Britain has dipped to 97% the level of last winter and from North America to 96% and these are two of our key markets.

Looking to the year ahead, Tourism Ireland will invest in an extensive and targeted programme of activity across 13+ overseas source markets. The organisation is working closely with air and sea carriers, as well as promoting ‘must visit’ reasons to choose the island of Ireland.