Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Visitors.

Jack Wall

Question:

228 Mr. Wall asked the Taoiseach the figures for foreign visitors to Ireland from the USA, Britain and mainland Europe; if these figures are favourable in relation to each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/03]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Ms Hanafin)

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tables. Information on visitors from the USA is combined with that from Canada.

Estimated number of Overseas Visits to Ireland by Residents of Great Britain, Other Europe and USA and Canada in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

Visits '000	1999	2000	2001	2002
Area of Residence
Great Britain	3,558	3,559	3,462	3,579
Other Europe	1,333	1,453	1,357	1,392
USA andCanada	943	1,043	912	849

Estimated number of Overseas Visits to Ireland by Residents of Great Britain, Other Europe and USA and Canada in the first 6 months of 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003:

Visits '000	2000	2001	2002	2003
Area of Residence
Great Britain	1,645	1,498	1,647	1,684
Other Europe	582	594	606	649
USA andCanada	450	433	373	395

Estimated Expenditure (excluding international fares) by Overseas Visitors to Ireland from Great Britain, Other Europe and USA and Canada in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

Expenditure€ million	1999	2000	2001	2002
Area of Residence
Great Britain	968	1,042	1,163	1,251
Other Europe	623	721	810	862
USA andCanada	549	679	713	705

Estimated Expenditure (excluding international fares) by Overseas Visitors to Ireland from Great Britain, Other Europe and USA and Canada in the first 6 months of 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003:

Expenditure€ million	2000	2001	2002	2003
Area of Residence
Great Britain	481.1	489.1	557.8	561.6
Other Europe	269.5	317.4	370.3	346.3
USA andCanada	273.1	322.7	283.3	319.9