30th April 2026
- Figures point to steady demand as Government continues close engagement with industry amid global uncertainty
Ireland’s tourism sector continues to show resilience, with the latest CSO inbound travel figures indicating that 510,100 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in March 2026. This represents an increase of 16% compared with March 2025 and is down just 2% on March 2024. While short-term trends can fluctuate, demand across key markets has remained broadly stable, reflecting Ireland’s continued appeal and the ongoing work of our tourism agencies and industry partners.
Welcoming the figures, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D. noted that they are encouraging but must be viewed in a wider context:
“These results are positive and reflect the underlying strength of Ireland’s tourism offering. However, we are operating in an increasingly uncertain global environment, and it is important that we remain cautious. Our focus will be on continued close engagement with industry to ensure the sector is well-positioned to respond to emerging challenges.”
Recent commentary from organisations such as the European Travel Commission and the International Air Transport Association indicates that global travel demand has remained generally robust in early 2026 but is becoming more sensitive to geopolitical developments and cost pressures, particularly in fuel and aviation markets.
In that context, the Government is closely monitoring developments, including the potential impacts arising from the conflict involving the United States and Iran. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is maintaining ongoing engagement with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as with international partners, to support a coordinated and informed response.
Minister Burke went on to say,
“My focus remains on supporting a sustainable and resilient tourism sector, in line with the objectives set out in A New Era for Irish Tourism. This includes strengthening competitiveness, diversifying markets, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Tourism is a vital part of Ireland’s economy and regional development, and we will continue to work closely with industry to navigate emerging risks while maintaining the stability reflected in today’s figures.”
ENDS
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