Gulf war causes 18pc drop in Irish visits to Australia in May

Ireland sent 3,850 short term visitors to Australia in May, down 18.1pc on May 2025 due to the Gulf war, but up 15.6pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual is 95,640, up 9.1pc on the twelve months to May 2025.

Numbers in April fell by an even greater margin, by 36.2pc and 10.8pc on pre-pandemic. That decline followed growth of 8,6pc in March, 9.5pc in February and 7.6pc in January.

Australia recorded 609,040 short-term inbound visitor arrivals in May 2026, representing a slight 0.4% decrease compared to May 2025. This figure remains 8.9% below pre-COVID levels. New Zealand was the largest source country, though visits from there and India saw notable declines.

Australia to Ireland tourism is less badly affected, Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Australia and New Zealand were 10,200 in May, UP 3pc on May 2025 depute the loss fo the Gulf hubs and down 46pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 125,300 down 4.9pc on the twelve months to May 2025.