Tourism Performance

In the latest quarterly report:

• Europe sees a strong start to 2026 amid global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions
• Year-to-date data shows international tourist arrivals to Europe up 5.6% compared to the same period in 2025.
• Ireland (+30%) and Finland (+12%) stood out in Northern Europe. Strong gains were also seen in ski destinations including Italy, Austria, France and Switzerland all portraying steady growth.
• Rising fuel and operating costs tied to the US/Israel–Iran
  conflict are being passed on to consumers through higher
  airfares and travel costs.
• Europe should face lower risks amid the conflict in the Middle East supported by strong intra-regional demand (circa 80%) and travel substitution toward destinations perceived as safer and shorter-haul destinations

In the March SOAR report:

• CSO reported 834,000 overseas tourists to Ireland, who spent €538m in January & February 2026, an increase of +30% and +31% respectively versus the same period in  2025.
• Air seat capacity to the island of Ireland for the summer aviation season (end March 2026 to end October 2026) still remains broadly unchanged since the conflict began, with seat capacity scheduled to grow +4% YoY overall (OAG). This may change given the conflict in the Middle East.  €450m of visitor spend to the island of Ireland annually comes the Middle East, Asia and Australia/New Zealand. 
• Oil and gas price inflation will heighten cost concerns for consumers and businesses, while jet fuel increases pose a risk to aviation connectivity.
• Consumer uncertainty is likely to be heightened regarding safety to travel and confidence to spend. 

See more in this report.

Mabrian lists seven megatrends for 2026 to provide professionals with insights that help them anticipate change, seize opportunities, and make informed strategic decisions in a constantly evolving environment. They are: 

• Personalisation: travellers are putting themselves at the centre of every decision 
• Narrative travel: travel is increasingly shaped by stories the ones we read, watch,
  The wellbeing reset: Regenerative and active wellness
• Back to belonging: Roots and reconnections
• Event tourism: Impact and legacy management
• From icons to experiences: Experience-led destination
  management
• Tech-intelligent & sustainable destinations

More data is available in the full report. 

Key Tourism Facts 2024 provides a collation of available key tourism performance data on: 

• Tourism Numbers 
• Tourism Revenue 
• Regional Performance 
• Overseas Tourists 
• Overseas Holidaymakers & 
• Domestic Tourism 

See the data in this fact card.

Key Tourism Facts provides tourism related data for Dublin in 2024 on:

• Overseas tourists
• Domestic tourists
• Types of accommodation used
• Activities engaged in and 
• Motivations to travel 

See more data in the infographic.

Key Tourism Facts provides tourism related data for the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) in 2024 on:

• Overseas tourists
• Domestic tourists
• Types of accommodation used
• Activities engaged in and 
• Motivations to travel 

See more data in the infographic.

The Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 reflects the Travel & Tourism sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing and future challenges affecting the enabling conditions for its growth.

The index provides a strategic benchmarking tool for business, governments, international organizations and others to develop the Travel & Tourism sector.

The TTDI seeks to inform policy-makers, companies and related stakeholders by providing insights into Travel & Tourism  economies’ strengths and areas for improvement, and by examining the interdependent nature of the internal and external factors driving this complex sector.

See more in this report.

This quarterly report brings together the latest data, insights, and industry feedback into a single overview of tourism performance in 2025. It provides a clear picture of how the sector is evolving and the realities being experienced by businesses on the ground.

See more in the full report. 

In the latest Barometer: 

• International tourist arrivals increased by 2% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. 
• Around 307 million tourists travelled internationally in Q1 2026, about 6 million more than in Q1 2025. 
• International arrivals grew 2% in January and 3% in
  February, but were flat in March (+0.4%) partly due to
  a 37% decline in the Middle East, most impacted by the conflict, 
• By region, Europe and Africa (both +4%) recorded the
  strongest performance in Q1 2026, compared to the
  first quarter of 2025.
• Europe, saw over 130 million international tourists in Q1 2026, a 4% increase, building on the strong momentum of 2025 (+5%).
• Some European destinations benefited from the redirection of tourism flows in March.

See more in the report. 

In the latest edition of the Dublin Economic Monitor: 

•  Employment amongst Dublin residents declined by 0.7% QoQ in Q4 2025 to 838,300 (SA), as the unemployment rate eased to 5.0% (SA).
• Retail spending in the Capital strengthened further, rising by
  2.5% QoQ to a record index value of 156.7.
• Business activity in Dublin’s private sector increased solidly
  in Q4, however manufacturing contracted for the first time in three quarters. 
• Occupancy rates in Dublin hotels eased to 67.1% in January
  2026.
• Dublin Airport passenger volumes remained strong in Q4
  2025, with total throughput of 9.38 million passengers (SA), up by 10.7% YoY.

See more in the full report. 

Key Tourism Facts provides tourism related data for Ireland's Hidden Heartlands (IHH) in 2024 on:

• Overseas tourists
• Domestic tourists
• Types of accommodation used
• Activities engaged in and 
• Motivations to travel 

See more data in the infographic.

Key Tourism Facts provides tourism related data for Ireland's Ancient East (IAE) in 2024 on:

• Overseas tourists
• Domestic tourists
• Types of accommodation used
• Activities engaged in and 
• Motivations to travel 

See more data in the infographic.

The World Travel Market for 2024:

• Global leisure tourism expenditure in 2024 is 24% above 2019 values now worth over $5.5 trillion.
• International travel is expected to be a key growth driver, In 2024, 1.5 billion international tourism arrivals is expected, but this figure should grow by over 30% to 2 billion in 2030.
• Western European countries and the United States will continue to be the largest outbound travel markets but emerging markets will  post the fastest growth, i.e. China.
• Short-haul travel will dominate, as households face increased financial pressures and are becoming more cost conscious but they will continue to prioritise travel. 
• Average length of stay on international travel remains elevated as shorter trips are being sacrificed in place of longer visits. This is to explore destinations more fully as part of the slow travel trend. 

See  more in the full report.