Ireland enjoys a seven percent increase in visitor arrivals

Ireland’s tourism industry has taken a turn in a positive direction with the number of overseas visitors visiting its shores increasing by seven percent for the year 2011.

According to the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) the seven percent increase in visitor arrivals is the country’s first rise in four years, the Independent reported.

(ITIC) Chairman John Healy said he was positive the tourism industry had “turned a corner” after what has been the most “horrific years” the county has experienced.

Mr Healy said they still had a long way to go before reaching the same peak in visitor arrival as they had in 2007 when 7.7 million tourists visited the country.

ITIC figures reveal that the arrival numbers have been gradually decreasing since 2008 when there were 7.4 million visitors, followed by 6.5 million in 2009 and 5.9 million in 2010.

ITIC chief executive Eamonn McKeon said that although more overseas visitors are visiting the country, the increase does not match the amount of money being spent.

"The increase in tourist numbers does not correspond with the increase in revenues, clearly demonstrating the growing trend that tourists are taking shorter breaks in Ireland," Mr McKeon said.

Mr McKeon added that although there was a seven percent rise in tourist arrivals, the 2011 likely outcome was still around seven percent behind 2009 and almost 18 percent lower than 2008.

Mr Healy said the visit from Queen Elizabeth and Barack Obama as well as the reduction of the VAT rate on tourism activities such as hotels and restaurants to nine percent had assisted the industry in its recovery.

“The reduction in accommodation rates for tourists was a huge factor in the growth in the numbers of overseas visitors this year," he said.