Vol. 469 No. 5
203 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the approximate number of persons who have visited Ireland to date in 1996; the country of origin of each visitor; the parts of the country most visited; and the total income derived from these tourists. [17836/96]
The latest available estimates from the Central Statistics Office for overseas visitors which relate to the first half of 1996 show visitor numbers at 2,002,000, an increase of 16 per cent on the same period last year, distributed across markets as follows: Great Britain at 1,183,000, up 17 per cent; other European countries at 464,000, up 15 per cent; North American — USA and Canada — at 286,000, up 18 per cent and other countries at 68,000 down 9 per cent.
Provisional CSO figures for earnings, including carrier receipts, are only available to date for the first three months of 1996 and show estimated total income from visitors at £265 million, representing a 9 per cent increase on the same period in 1995.
The published data released by the Central Statistics Office does not give a breakdown of the number of overseas visitors who visit the regions. Bord Fáilte does however, as part of its own market research, undertake a survey of overseas travellers which, inter alia, measures the regional distribution of overseas tourist visits. I understand that this survey is compiled on an annual basis and information in respect of 1996 is not yet available. The compilation and publication of this material is the direct responsibility of Bord Fáilte and the relevant details are contained in Bord Fáilte's annual report and accounts, copies of which are available from the Dáil Library.
