A record 7.8 million visitors came to Ireland in 2007, but they spent less than expected, Fáilte Ireland said yesterday.
Launching its end-of-year review and outlook for 2008, the authority welcomed the 5 per cent increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in 2007, highlighting a 15 per cent growth in numbers of European tourists.
Visitor numbers from Spain in particular showed a massive increase of 28 per cent, France was up 11 per cent and there was also strong growth in the numbers of visitors from the Nordic countries. But numbers from Britain were down 1 per cent.
The visitors spent €6.5 billion while holidaying and although this was an increase on last year, it was only just keeping up with inflation, according to Shaun Quinn, chief executive of Fáilte Ireland. The weakening of the dollar meant that US visitors spent less, Mr Quinn said, and the average length of stays reduced from 12 days to 10.
Overseas visitors highlighted their satisfaction with the country's unspoilt scenery, the friendliness of its people and the sense of security here. But they complained about signposting, the cost of eating and drinking, and Irish weather. They were also critical about litter on the streets, particularly German and Swedish visitors, Mr Quinn said.
The southeast of the country showed the greatest increase in tourists, with numbers there up 8 per cent on 2006, there was also an increase in Dublin, the west, the southwest and the northwest. However, visitors to the Shannon region dropped 5 per cent.
"We are continuing to invest significantly in upgrading and expanding the range of tourist attractions and activities across regions to broaden visitor appeal," Mr Quinn said.
He said they were also lobbying Government departments about improvements in infrastructure and access to the regions.
The figures showed that domestic trips were up by 12 per cent. Irish people holidaying at home spent at least €1 billion last year. They took up 62 per cent of the 57,000 hotel beds in the country.
Gillian Bowler, chairwoman of Fáilte Ireland, said the number of nights spent in hotels by Irish people increased by 26 per cent. She warned against the reliance on the home holiday market by some sectors of the industry.
"Fáilte Ireland will continue to grow the domestic market while working in close collaboration with the tourism industry and Tourism Ireland on driving growth in the international leisure segment to reduce this reliance," Ms Bowler said.
She raised concerns about a shortage of "gala" facilities in the city centre and suggested that five or six State-owned buildings in the capital could be opened up and used for things other than Government business.
The authority also highlighted recently completed research among tourism industry leaders. They expressed worry about Ireland's competitiveness, the environment and the regional spread of tourism.
Other concerns included staff shortages. One-in-three people working in the industry were not from Ireland. The ratio is higher in Dublin, the authority said, and this could pose challenges for the future.
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael tourism spokeswoman, welcomed the increase in visitors in 2007, but said the decline in the Shannon region's performance must raise concerns after the loss of the Aer Lingus-Heathrow slots.
The Shannon Marketing Initiative, a €53 million package promised for the area, needed to be delivered urgently, she said.
