2018 a record year for Irish tourism – 11.2 million visitors; €6.1 billion revenue

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Tourism in Ireland touched new milestones with Euro 6.1 billion revenue and over 11.2 million visitors in 2018. Visitors from North America, mainland Europe, Australia and emerging markets helped to reach these record numbers.

Tourism is a booming sector for the Emerald Isle, providing employment to over 260,000 people. The revenue was a rise of about six per cent from the previous year.

The launch of direct flights to Dublin from Beijing, Hong Kong, Seattle and Philadelphia gave further boost to Irish tourism.

Ireland is focusing on attracting UK visitors especially during the off-season months. Six British gateway cities offer direct access to Cork, Kerry, Shannon, Knock, Donegal and Derry ­airports.

Ireland are attracting Americans and inviting them to ‘Jump into Ireland’.

Several new routes to North America, including Seattle and Philadelphia with Aer Lingus, and direct Air Canada routes between Toronto and Shannon and Montreal and Dublin have opened to tap the U.S. market.

New American Airlines service between Dublin and Dallas as well as a Norwegian flight from Hamilton in Ontario is expected to launch in 2019.

TV shows like Game of Thrones and Vikings, and movies including the Star Wars franchise have given wings to Ireland tourism.

The end of the year brought further good news, with Ireland being named Best destination, Europe at the 16th annual Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards in New York.

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