The ITIC said there “remains a misalignment” between the tourism data published by the CSO and “industry intelligence with tourism business data pointing to a flat year or one marginally down”. Visitor expenditure during 2025 is expected to be down 13% to €5.27bn while domestic tourism increased by 1% to €3.62bn. The North American market was the most valuable to Irish tourism worth €1.93bn with the average US visitor spending €1,282 while in Ireland. The average spend per domestic visitor in 2025 is projected to be €235 per person. Chief executive of the ITIC Eoghan O’Mara Walsh said “Irish tourism leaders are cautiously optimistic”.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2025 11:18 UTC