Visitors to Ireland down 11.6% in 2009

The number of visitors to Ireland fell by 11.6 per cent last year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

During 2009 there were 6,927,000 overseas visits to Ireland, compared with 7,839,000 in 2008.

The number of overseas visits dropped on all routes last year and there was a corresponding decline in expenditure by visitors to the country.

Trips on cross-channel routes decreased by 15.6 per cent during the year while related-expenditure fell by 21.5 per cent.

Business trips were down by 20.5 per cent while spending declined by over 25 per cent.

The number of holidays to Ireland was down by 26 per cent with related-spending down 18 per cent.

Nights spent in Ireland was also down with 11.7 per cent fewer nights spent than in 2008.

Overnight stays in hotels decreased by 19.7 per cent over the year while guesthouses and B&Bs nights was down 20.6 per cent.

Increases were seen in nights spent staying with friends and relatives and also in caravan and camping

The average length of stay of overseas Visits to Ireland during 2009 was 8.1 nights, the data shows.

Earnings from visitors to Ireland accounted for €3,879 million last year, while expenditure by Irish residents abroad totalled €6,148 million.

The number of overseas visits taken by Irish residents was down 10.5 per cent to 7,047,000 last year as against 7,877,000 in 2008

Although, spending on cross-channel trips increased by 10.2 per cent expenditure on all other routes declined.

Overall, Irish residents spent an average of 9.1 nights overseas last year.