- Border counties facing 63pc drop in northern visitors
- National figure is 53pc
- 67pc of accommodation providers say business is up overall
The latest Fáilte Ireland Tourism Barometer, a survey of 500 tourism businesses around the country, shows that overall industry confidence remains upbeat
Brexit is the biggest issue with 53pc of businesses reporting a fall in visitors from the six counties in 2017, 63pc of accommodation businesses in border counties and 46pc of businesses in other areas say they have been affected by the fall in sterling this year.
Paul Keeley of Fáilte Ireland
- The paid serviced accommodation sector has enjoyed a strong year, with business up in 67pc of businesses
- Hotels are performing well with the North American market making up the shortfall in visitors from Britain, and guests up by 69pc
- 60pc of gueshouses saw business grow in 2017
- 71pc of guesthouses had more German guests this year;
- Half of B&Bs had more overseas guests
- 54pc of B&Bs had more German guests
- Half of restaurants had more tourist customers
- 59pc of restaurants had more American customers this year.
- No restaurant reported an increase in British customers
- 72pc reported a decrease in British customers
Fáilte Ireland Director of Business Development Paul Keeley said: “There is no denying that 2017 was another good year for tourism businesses but for the first time in a few years we certainly hit some speedbumps. Brexit, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding it, have injected a note of hesitancy in tourism’s recent growth. The focus for tourism businesses facing into 2018 must be twofold: remain competitive and provide value for money; and minimise your risk by diversifying your market mix.”
- The full Tourism Barometer can be accessed HERE.
