CSO Figures out of kilter with industry data on the ground
Yesterday, April 29th The Central Statistics Office released March figures for inbound tourism. These figures reported yet another drop in overseas visitors.
Commenting on the CSO statistics for inbound tourism, Paul Gallagher, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation states that the published figures for overseas visitors continue to be out of kilter with industry data on the ground, including figures from hotels which are reporting a strong performance for room bookings year to date.
Commenting on the March figures Mr Gallagher said:
“The latest industry figures show that hotels achieved average room occupancies in March on a par with the same month last year while bookings for the first quarter were up 2% year on year. From an industry perspective, this would suggest that overall tourism activity is holding up so far in 2025, which is at odds with what the CSO figures would appear to be indicating.”
“This is a concern given how vital it is to have as complete a picture as possible for how tourism, our largest indigenous industry, is performing. Along with industry partners, we have met with representatives of the CSO to explore the figures in the context of wider industry data, and we look forward to further engagement on this matter.”
“In a given year, the first quarter would typically account for approximately 20% of overseas visitors to Ireland and a corresponding proportion of total hotel stays – made up of both domestic and overseas guests. Commenting on the outlook for the rest of the year, Mr Gallagher says: “While industry figures show a positive start to the year, we are beginning to see a slight softening in the market with forward bookings currently down 2% out to August. We are hopeful that this will pick up into the summer.”
“We are, however, very alert to various headwinds facing our sector, including the impact of global political and economic uncertainty which we continue to monitor closely. This is in the broader context of a very high-cost base within the Irish economy, restrictions at Dublin Airport, falling consumer sentiment and financial pressures in key source markets – all of which are weighing on our sector and the wider tourism industry.
Note: Hotel and Restaurant Times earlier in the month put a spotlight on the issue of inconsistent figures in an article titled Is Ireland Closed for Business? It joined Tourism Ireland and others in disputing the drop of 30% in overseas visitors reported in February, figures that some were attributing to the Passenger cap at Dublin Airport and the lure of short term letting platforms.
