PIC SHOWS: Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland; and Christopher Brooke, Chairman of Tourism Ireland, at the launch of Tourism Ireland’s 2025 marketing plans in Dublin.
~ Overseas tourism spend on the island of Ireland is estimated to have reached €7bn in 2024, up over +10% on 2023
~ Tourism Ireland targets €9bn in overseas tourism spend per year by 2030 ~
~ New ‘Slow Tourism Month’ to inspire visitors to explore communities, scenery and attractions ~
Tourism Ireland today launched details of its marketing strategy and plans to promote the island of Ireland overseas in 2025, at an event attended by over 500 tourism industry leaders from around the country.
In 2024, overseas visitor spend grew by over +10%, bringing an estimated €7 billion to the island of Ireland. With ambitions for the longer term, Tourism Ireland envisages overseas tourism revenue can grow from €6.4 billion in 2023 to €9 billion by 2030, with the right strategic supports.
In 2025, Tourism Ireland will invest in an extensive and targeted programme of activity across 13+ overseas source markets. Sustainable development is at the core of Tourism Ireland’s plans for the year ahead, so there will be continued focus on attracting tourists who have ‘value adding tourism traits’ – people who are likely to see more, do more, enjoy more and therefore spend more when they visit.
New for 2025 is ‘Slow Tourism Month’. An estimated half of all visitors to the island of Ireland choose not to use a car. Tourism Ireland will enable more exploration, with trip ideas that allow for dwell time in communities and scenery and that can be enjoyed by rail, bus or with tour partners, winning overnight stays across regions.
Tourism Ireland will also unveil a new global advertising campaign across 13+ overseas markets this year. The organisation will refresh and build on the strong foundations of its ‘Fill your heart with Ireland’ campaign, based on consumer insights – to make the island of Ireland stand out as a ‘bucket list’ destination.
Speaking at the launch, Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “Overseas tourism to the island of Ireland delivered an estimated €7 billion in revenue in 2024 – up over +10% on 2023 – and, importantly, helped to sustain around 300,000 jobs. We’re ambitious to support growth for local businesses, economies and communities and our target is to grow overseas visitor spend to €9 billion by 2030.
“In any industry, there are risks to mitigate and tourism is no different. This year, we will need to take account of the added step that the introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will bring for visitors to Northern Ireland. The passenger cap at Dublin Airport is top of mind and its review will be vital for tourism.
“However, there is also enormous potential ahead and we are ambitious for growth. In 2025, we will focus on increasing the value of overseas tourism, sustainably supporting economies, communities and the environment – and will do so by inspiring overseas visitors and strengthening strategic partnerships.
“We will be launching a new campaign across 13+ overseas markets to elevate ‘brand Ireland’ and win hearts, minds and trips. We will be collaborating with air and sea carrier partners to support demand for routes that are viable to the regions. With 80% of visitors researching and booking trips online, we will be sharing daily inspiration with our 7.5 million followers on social media and supporting 10 million deep research visits on our website, increasingly optimised for AI. Working with broadcasters around the world, we look forward to TV and streaming shows featuring reasons to visit that will air to key audiences. Sporting moments like The Open at Royal Portrush and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic present key opportunities, with promotional programmes already under way. Festivals create additional moments to spotlight, as we win holidays from overseas visitors to grow the benefits of tourism across the year.”
