Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 1961

Vol. 188 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tourist Traffic.

24.

Mr. Corish

asked the Taoiseach if he will estimate the number of Irish citizens who travelled abroad as tourists in each of the years 1950-1959; if he will state the countries visited by these tourists, the numbers visiting each country, and the total sum of money spent abroad by tourists in each of these years; and if he will give the number of tourists visiting this country, the countries from which they came, and the amount of money spent in this country by them in each of these years.

The Taoiseach

The available information relates to the total number of visits of Irish residents who travelled to places outside the State for tourist or business purposes, etc., and the total number of visits to Ireland of persons resident outside the State for tourist or business purposes, etc.

Information relating to the number of Irish residents who visited each country is not available, but estimates are made of the numbers of visits each year to the Six Counties, to Britain and direct to other countries. Some of those persons who travel to the Six Counties and Britain also visit other countries.

In the case of visitors to Ireland figures are also available showing the numbers of visits of persons who travelled from or via the Six Counties, from or via Britain or direct from other countries.

Comparable data are available only for the years 1952-1959 and these are shown in the following tables together with estimated total expenditures. It has been estimated that the receipts from visitors to the State amounted to £28 million and £31 million in 1950 and 1951 respectively, while the estimated expenditures outside the State by Irish residents amounted to £7 million and £9 million respectively, in the same years.

ESTIMATED number of visits of Irish residents to the Six Counties, to Britain or direct to other Countries, 1952-1959, and their estimated total expenditure.

Category	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
	Thousands
The Six Counties	1,780	1,970	1,808	1,744	1,764	1,722	1,844	2,147
Britain	179	203	225	222	239	258	253	245
Direct to other Countries	6	6	11	9	10	19	33	17
Total Numbers	1,965	2,179	2,044	1,975	2,013	1,999	2,130	2,409
	£ million
Total Expenditure	9.8	10.9	11.6	11.9	12.7	13.9	13.8	13.0

ESTIMATED number of visits to Ireland by persons who travelled from the Six Counties, from Britain or direct from other Countries, 1952-1959, and their estimated total expenditure.

Category	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
	Thousands
The Six Counties	2,943	3,113	3,073	3,288	3,196	2,724	2,602	3,092
Britain	633	570	569	611	677	657	694	748
Direct from other Countries	20	23	27	27	31	34	40	42
Total Numbers	3,596	3,706	3,669	3,926	3,904	3,415	3,336	3,882
	£ million
Total Expenditure	29.5	28.4	29.5	30.9	33.4	32.4	34.6	37.8

For the years 1955-1959 both the outward and inward visits of persons travelling to or via the Six Counties and Britain have been classified by "reason for journey". The relevant available information is shown in the following tables. It should be observed that classification by reason for journey depends on the interpretation of the various terms by persons completing tourist cards.

VISITS of Irish residents to or via the Six Counties or Britain.

Category	Reason for journey	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
		Thousands
The Six Counties	Tourist	700	656	501	407	441
	Visit to relatives	343	290	267	294	310
	Business	638	736	866	893	1,158
	Other (incl. not stated)	63	82	88	250	238
	TOTAL	1,744	1,764	1,722	1,844	2,147
Britain	Tourist	66	65	68	61	66
	Visit to relatives	74	82	91	86	104
	Business	31	35	42	41	41
	Other (incl. not stated)	51	57	57	65	34
	TOTAL	222	239	258	253	245
GRAND TOTAL	1,966	2,003	1,980	2,097	2,392

VISITS to Ireland by persons who travelled from or via the Six Counties or Britain.

Category	Reason for journey	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
		Thousands
The Six Counties	Tourist	2,087	1,874	1,485	1,320	1,533
	Visit to relatives	540	527	430	447	535
	Business	557	695	702	640	786
	Other (incl. not stated)	104	100	107	195	238
	TOTAL	3,288	3,196	2,724	2,602	3,092
Britain	Tourist	212	242	223	236	294
	Visit to relatives	249	254	259	271	334
	Business	52	50	52	52	60
	Other (incl. not stated)	98	131	123	135	60
	TOTAL	611	677	657	694	748
GRAND TOTAL	3,899	3,873	3,381	3,296	3,840