THE AVERAGE overseas conference delegate attending an event in the Republic last year spent almost €1,000 in addition to their official outlay, new research shows. A new survey to be issued by Fáilte Ireland today finds that average “out-of-pocket” expenditure for business tourists in 2009 was €980.

This figure excludes expenses for conference fees, accommodation or other items that have been paid for by a delegate’s company or another organisation.

It highlights the importance of business visitors to the tourism economy, with the opening of the national conference centre in Dublin in September expected to significantly boost the sector.

Ireland attracted 1.9 million business visitors last year, of whom roughly 400,000 were seen as having been “influenced” by Fáilte Ireland.

The survey is based on responses from almost 1,250 delegates attending 29 conferences. Within this group, nine out of 10 overseas visitors were “very satisfied” with their experience and almost 90 per cent said they would recommend Ireland as a conference destination. Some 75 per cent said they would probably return to the country on a holiday or short break.

The agency said the average international delegate spent 6.3 days in Ireland, of which 3.6 days were spent at the event. Individuals from more distant locations naturally tended to stay for longer.

The biggest proportion of their “out-of-pocket” spend went on further accommodation, followed by food and drink.

Shopping accounted for €132 of the total, while domestic transport cost an average €32. The total rose in the middle months of the year, probably reflecting longer summer stays.

The overall spend was meanwhile boosted by more than a quarter of delegates mixing business with leisure during their trip.

Mainland Europe provided four out of 10 business tourists, while one third came from North America. The UK accounted for one in five.