The Irish tourismindustry had a bumperyear in 2016 growing11% and bringing in around€5.4 billion. However, the industry is set to become a victim of its own success, reports The Irish Times, with capacity issues meaning thatgrowth in 2017 could be restricted to as little as 1%.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said that 2016 will bethe"best year ever for overseas tourism to Ireland”. However, the caveat was that such growth could not bemaintained due to"sustainablity issues" in Dublin and at the majortourist attractions.
Gibbons highlightedTitanic Belfast as a great success story. The museumhad over three million visitors over the last four years. This helped powerNorthern Ireland to a sixth consecutive record year for visitor numbers.
In Dublin, theGuinness Storehouse was attracting record crowds with over 1.6 million visitors ayear.Another key attraction wasthethe Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare which had1.2 million people. The“sustainability issue” followed naturally from suchrapid growth, he said.
Irish Tourism and the Chinese
Tourism Ireland, which aims to promote tourism across the island of Ireland has a clear strategy. This is increase the number of high-spending tourists.Visitors from the USAand Australiatend tospend more time in the country and spend more while they are there.Chinese tourists arekey and in order to attract them, more Chinese-friendly information and tour guides will be made available.Although Gibbons thought that Brexit could possibly reduce the number of visitors from Britain, the North couldbenefit from the weak pound.
Ireland records best year for tourism with 11% growth – The Irish Times
