By Irishexaminer.com,Ronan Smyth

Copyright irishexaminer

The AVEA said during 2024, its members recorded 19.2 million visitors compared to the 23 million recorded in 2019. Data from the CSO shows visitor numbers to Ireland have declined by 9% so far this year compared to the same period last year.

The AVEA has said “two-thirds of attractions reported flat or reduced visitor numbers year-to-date”, with attractions outside major tourist hubs continuing to rely “heavily on the domestic market”.

Chief executive of the AVEA Catherine Flanagan said visitor attractions were a “vital part of Ireland’s tourism ecosystem, providing 6,000 jobs, supporting regional economies, and creating incredible visitor experiences”.

“By addressing operational costs, enabling competitive pricing, and strengthening tourism agencies, the Government can ensure our attractions continue to thrive and contribute to Ireland’s international appeal.”

In advance of the budget next week, the AVEA is calling for urgent policy measures to help address issues facing the sector.

It is calling for support to offset the cost of doing business, a reduction in Vat to 9% on admissions, and additional investment in Ireland’s tourism ecosystem.

The AVEA said ticket sales make up 46% of revenue, with the median admission price at €11, and median retail spend at €4 per visitor.

Members of the AVEA include the operators of the Guinness Storehouse, Blarney Castle and Gardens, the Cliffs of Moher, as well as the Jameson Distillery.

Falling visitor numbers to Ireland over the last year has been repeatedly highlighted in the CSO’s monthly tourism data.

Since September 2024, the number of tourists arriving into Ireland each month has declined when compared to the same period the year prior. The decline was more significant in the opening months of the year, but smaller declines were still recorded during the peak summer months of May, June and July.

Representatives of the tourism sector have said the figures presented by the CSO do not match what they are seeing on the ground, but the CSO has stood by its data.

According to the CSO, about 772,800 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in August, an increase of 1% compared to August last year.

Visitors stayed a total of 6.7 million nights in the country, which meant the average stay stood at 8.6 nights — down slightly from the 8.7 nights recorded in August last year.

Foreign visitors spent a total of €743.7m excluding fares, while on their trips during August — a decrease of 9.3% year-on-year.

Following the publication of the CSO figures, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) expressed concerns about the ongoing drop in overseas visitors.

IHF chief executive Paul Gallagher said despite hopes for a reversal in this trend during the summer months, “the situation has continued to deteriorate”.

“We have continued to see a softening in revenue year on year. This is part of a worrying decline in wider visitor spend throughout our tourism industry, as indicated by recent CSO figures,” he said.

“Tourism businesses the length and breadth of the country now find themselves operating under an increasingly challenging environment while struggling to deal with unsustainable increases in business costs.”