Press Releases
Wednesday, September 25th 2024
Irish tourism industry facing “a perfect storm” of cost increases and capacity constraints
– At ITIC flagship conference industry calls for measures in Budget 2025 to support sector –
– Tourism has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels as 64% of hospitality businesses expect profitability to fall this year –
– Labour legislation to add €1.4 billion to sector payroll by 2026 –
Wednesday, December 27th 2023
Year End Review 2023 & Outlook 2024 – Irish tourism industry earned €5.3bn from overseas visitors in 2023
– Despite capacity and competitiveness concerns, sector can grow in value by 5% in real terms in 2024 with North American market offering best prospects –
– Government must do more to support Ireland’s largest indigenous industry with cost of business challenges and capacity constraints –
Tuesday, October 10th 2023
Disappointing Budget 2024 for Irish tourism
– No return of 9% VAT rate and investment static in tourism services –
– Budget is “disappointing and underwhelming for tourism sector” according to industry body –
– SME business supports welcomed but shortage of tourism beds due to Government contracts represent a major handbrake on recovery –
Wednesday, April 12th 2023
Industry body’s Q1 estimate of tourism industry performance
– January-March estimates show 1.7 million international visitor arrivals came to Ireland, down 16% compared to Q1 2019 –
– Preliminary estimates suggest US and European markets performing well but British market soft and long-haul markets lagging –
– Q1 traditionally accounts for 20% of annual tourism volume
– Business support fund needed for non-accommodation tourism businesses –
– Industry leaders express concern that over a third of all tourism beds in regional Ireland contracted to Government for humanitarian purposes –
Tuesday, February 21st 2023
Tourism industry welcomes 9% VAT extension
– Industry representative group says VAT extension and TBESS expansion will help 20,000 businesses as they face a challenging year –
Friday, February 17th 2023
Tourism industry expresses “grave concern” about an increase in the VAT rate to 13.5% with 20,000 businesses impacted and up to 24,000 livelihoods at risk
– Industry representative group says VAT hike will be inflationary, putting jobs at risk and halting the sector’s recovery –
Wednesday, January 11th 2023
24,000 tourism jobs could be lost in 2023 by reintroducing the 13.5% VAT rate on 1 March 2023 – Jim Power
– Economic report finds that the proposed 50% VAT rate increase in tourism sector would further undermine the competitiveness of a sector already under significant pressure –
Tuesday, December 27th 2022
Year End Review 2022 – 7 million international visitors to Ireland in 2022 but concerns for next year
– ITIC estimate that 7 million international tourists came to Ireland in 2022, a 73% recovery compared to 2019 –
– 246,500 jobs in Irish tourism sector according to CSO, country’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer –
– Heightened uncertainty for 2023 with air access and demand strong but cost inflation, competitiveness and supply shortages a concern –
– Industry estimates 28% of all tourism beds in regional Ireland currently contracted to Government for humanitarian reasons, potentially costing the sector €1 billion in lost earnings next year –
Thursday, November 10th 2022
October Tourism Dashboard shows recovery in inbound tourism but next year of significant concern to industry
– October data shows international visitor arrivals down 7% compared to October 2019 and down 19% year-to-date –
– Key North American market performing well with 196,000 visitors to Ireland last month while Continental European market was strongest performer –
– Significant industry concern for next year with twin obstacles to recovery: soaring cost inflation and over-dependence on tourism accommodation by Government for refugees –
Wednesday, October 12th 2022
Strong September Tourism Dashboard but future of significant concern to industry
– September data shows recovery in international visitors continues, down 9% compared to Sep 2019 and down 20% year-to-date –
– Key North American market performing well with 230,000 visitors to Ireland last month while Continental European market was strongest performer –
– Increasing industry concern for next year with twin obstacles to recovery: soaring cost and energy inflation as well as impact of Government contracts on supply –
– One in 4 tourism bedrooms now occupied by refugees and asylum seekers –
Tuesday, September 27th 2022
Mixed budget for Irish tourism industry
– Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme welcomed although concerns that it does not go far enough to support high-energy business users –
– Disappointment that Budget not used to extend 9% Vat rate beyond February –
– Additional marketing funds welcomed as important “to stimulate demand” –
– Full tourism industry recovery not expected until 2027 –
Wednesday, May 18th 2022
Industry body’s monthly dashboard (April 2022) of tourism industry performance in association with AIB
– April data shows total arrivals down 21% and year-to-date down 35% compared to 2019 –
– 140,000 North American visitors came to Ireland in April while Continental European market was strongest performer –
– ITIC revised growth scenario estimate recovery in inbound tourism of 67% this year compared to peak –
– Inflation 4 times higher than same month in 2019 and ITIC warn “Competitiveness is critical to the success of Ireland’s tourism industry” –
Wednesday, April 27th 2022
Industry body forecasts improved recovery of tourism for 2022
– Projections this year now show 67% recovery to 2019 levels, up from 60% –
– ITIC predict full recovery won’t be achieved until 2026 –
– Flagship conference sees tourism sustainability report launched in association with AIB – 26 key policy recommendations –
– Cost inflation, labour shortages and Ukraine war all pose a challenge as ITIC warn that “Government must stay the course in supporting tourism recovery” –
Wednesday, December 29th 2021
ITIC Year End Review of 2021 and Outlook for 2022
– €12.2 billion lost to Irish tourism and hospitality industry due to Covid-19 –
– Industry body (ITIC) calls for long-term sector-specific plan to support country’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer –
– 60% recovery in inbound tourism possible in 2022 but travel restrictions must be lifted to avoid a “third doomed summer” –
