Accommodation and airport capacity constraints are stopping the tourism industry here from reaching its full potential.
That’s according to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation which says overseas visitors spent five point three billion euro here in 2023.
It’s predicted that next year will be another challenging one for tourism with 20% of hotel and guest house beds being contracted to the Government to house asylum seekers and refugees.
The Chief Executive of the ITIC, Eoghan O’Meara Walsh says the sector could grow even quicker if it wasn’t for accommodation and airport capacity constraints:
"Without adequate beds on the ground, without adequate airport capacity into the country, there's obviously a handbrake on growth. So, we think with the right market mix, we can grow revenue. But growing volume, particularly during the peak months is going to be challenging for the tourism sector".
