Joe Walsh
Question:28 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the way in which the tourism results for 1996 compare with other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2531/97]
Written Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
Joe Walsh
Question:34 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the tourism results for 1996 in terms of earnings to this country and in terms of numbers using Ireland as a holiday destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 34 together.
Estimates for visitor numbers and revenue for the whole of 1996 have not yet been published by the Central Statistics Office. Estimates released to date by the CSO indicate that visitor numbers increased by over 11 per cent to 3.8 million in the period January to September 1996 and that revenue in the first half of 1996 increased by over 16 per cent over the same period in 1995 to £777 million. According to CSO estimates, the number of visitors whose principal motivation in visiting Ireland was for holiday purposes increased by 25 per cent in the first six months of 1996.
While, as I have said, CSO figures are not yet available for 1996 as a whole, Bord Fáilte has estimated the total number of visitors as being in the region of 4.6 million, an increase of 10 per cent on 1995. Expenditure by overseas visitors, excluding receipts by Irish carriers, was estimated by Board Fáilte to be approximately £1.4 billion, an increase of 12 per cent.
I understand that detailed information on European visitor numbers in 1996 is not yet available, but it has been estimated that European travel increased by some 5 per cent in the summer of 1996 compared with the same period in 1995. Bord Fáilte has also estimated that last year growth in US visitors to Ireland was 12 per cent compared to a European average of 6 per cent.
This interim information suggests that Ireland continues to enjoy above average growth rates in visitor numbers and revenue and I am confident that 1997 will prove to be another very successful year for the Irish tourism industry.