THE NUMBER of North American visitors to Ireland could fall by up to 15 per cent this year because of the global economic crisis, Tourism Ireland has said.
A 7 per cent increase in the strength of the euro against the dollar since November and the continued deterioration in the outlook for the US economy could lead to 150,000 fewer trips by North Americans to Ireland.
“On the basis of current US economic sentiment, we are revising our visitor forecast to decline of up to 15 per cent, which would see 850,000 North American visitors in 2009,” Tourism Ireland said in its outlook for the year.
About one million people travelled to Ireland from North America last year.
Tourism Ireland, which promotes the island of Ireland overseas, believes visitors to the country overall this year could fall by up to 9 per cent, following a 3 per cent reduction last year.
It is predicting a 9 per cent reduction could lead to revenue in the industry, which employs 300,000 people in Ireland, falling by 15 per cent.
It is forecast that visits to Ireland by some 8.8 million tourists generated some €4.2 billion last year. “In the current worst-case scenario we expect at least eight million visitors, spending €3.6 billion in 2009,” the outlook states.
Mark Henry of Tourism Ireland said the figures represent “a worst possible scenario” for the industry and he is hopeful that some tourists were simply booking their holidays a little later this year.
“If there is one thing people are telling us about 2009, it is that people are booking holidays later and later,” he said. “People are unsure about their jobs, their banks and the future ahead. Spring and summer breaks are being booked later which makes us unsure as to how the year will turn out.”
Mr Henry said Irish tourism was responding to the challenging climate well and that hotels, for example, have dropped their prices considerably to attract business. He added that markets appear to be responding well to marketing campaigns launched by Tourism Ireland.
“The airlines and ferries are filling their places, although with lower prices, and more people are calling and visiting our websites. We are optimistic this will translate into more people coming.
“The Government recognises that the more tourism you generate, the more income you bring into the economy,” he said.
