The number of tourists coming into Ireland in January was down 25% on the previous year - but more worryingly, the amount of money they spent fell by 28%.

On top of that the dollar is losing ground against the Euro, which means US visitors will find Ireland even more expensive than last year.

As we prepare for the St Patrick’s day weekend, director of product development with Fáilte Ireland Orla Carroll told Breakfast Business that “by and large” the industry is feeling positive.

“Seven per cent of accommodation capacity has come back into the market since the cessation of Government contracts, plus new accommodation is also opening,” she said.

“So, that’s really, really positive, and we have seen a 10% increase in visitor attractions and experiences talking to us at Fáilte Ireland and being listed on discoverireland.ie.”

Grafton Street Dublin City Centre

According to Ms Carroll, seat capacity at Dublin airport under the passenger cap is a concern, but it will also allow for the expansion of regional airports.

“Seat capacity to Dublin Airport, actually for this week of Paddy’s Day is down about seven per cent, which is probably about a reduction of 27,000 seats or so,” she said.

“I know both the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) are citing that’s a reduction of 10% passengers around this time of the year.

“So, you know, seat capacity is a concern, but at the same time, seat capacity in our regional airports is growing.

“That’s a positive and we’re continuing to work regionally – but it is something we are facing into 2025 where visitor capacity won’t necessarily align to the capacity that is coming on in accommodation.”

Ms Carroll said she is confident that this slide in visitor numbers can be arrested.

“Ourselves, we’ve been working closely with Tourism Ireland who are looking at overseas marketing and making sure that the visitors around there know that Ireland is very much open, Ireland is very much welcome, and Ireland has a great tourist offering to provide visitors,” she said.

Ms Carroll said, “we just need to watch this space a bit more”.

Main image: Tourists in Dublin wearing Irish Tricolour top hats in November 2018. Picture by: Sarah-Louise Burns / Alamy Stock Photo