2015 Officially Our Best Tourism Year Ever
It’s official - 2015 has been Ireland’s best ever year for tourism.
By the time the bells chime on New Year’s Eve, an estimated 7.9 million people will have visited the country – beating the previous record set in 2007.
End-of-year figures today from Tourism Ireland show that overseas visitor numbers will come in 11% higher than last year, while tourism revenue will be up 16% to €4.2 billion.
“Growth has come from all markets, with the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia all turning in record performances once again this year. Great Britain, our largest tourism market, has also seen strong growth of 10% this year.”
Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said that, throughout 2015, the organisation had undertaken a packed promotional programme to bring Ireland to the attention of travellers everywhere.
He said this had included a major focus on the Wild Atlantic Way and other important themes, such as ID2015 (Year of Irish Design) and Yeats 2015, the 150th anniversary of the poet’s birth.
He added: “Following a record 2015, ambitious targets have been set for 2016 and beyond. Next year, we will unveil Ireland’s Ancient East around the world, while continuing to place a major focus on the Wild Atlantic Way.
“We will also highlight Dublin, in particular capitalising on the recent inclusion of Dublin at number three in the world in the prestigious ‘Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2016’. This week’s release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens – which will feature Skellig Michael – also presents Tourism Ireland with a truly unique opportunity to highlight the South West and Ireland in 2016.”
Welcoming the latest figures, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, said the government was determined to maintain the positive momentum seen in 2015. “Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Marketing Plan is targeting a further 5% growth in overseas visitor revenue next year.”