Asia over Leitrim? Report shows Irish travellers opt for abroad over certain counties
The study revealed that while 74% of Irish people holiday abroad at least once a year, half (48%) say they want to travel more on home soil with the beauty of the Irish scenery being their main inspiration.
Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook
However, Airbnb have revealed new data which shows that a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim and 76% have never visited Westmeath.
Three in four Irish holidaymakers go abroad at least once a year, and over a third (39%) have crossed the Atlantic to North America, however, fewer of us have been to Sligo (37%), Tipperary (37%) and Meath (36%).
Additionally, 81% of Irish people who have been as far as Africa have never set foot in Monaghan.
Despite almost half (48%) of people in Ireland saying they want to see more of their own country, only one in three actually take regular holidays in the form of staycations.
Ahead of summer 2025, Airbnb has launched the Rural Tourism Fund to give a vital injection to rural areas across Ireland that rely on the benefits of tourism to support local families, businesses and culture.
The vacation rental company says it is committing €100,000 in grants to preserve and enhance innovative tourism projects across the country.
According to Airbnb, 71% of bookings in Ireland are made in predominantly rural areas and the majority of listings are outside of Dublin which the company says shows they are already playing a pivotal role in bringing visitors to the heart of the Irish countryside.
Furthermore, Airbnb have said that through the Rural Tourism Fund, grants ranging from €1,000 to €10,000 will be available to local organisations and community groups to help bring their local projects to life and boost rural tourism - from launching or expanding a local festival, to upgrading community facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite the frequency of international travel for a large portion of the Irish population, many Irish counties are still getting recognition as ideal rural escapes with 60% of people in Ireland saying they would recommend a domestic holiday with the country's stunning scenery cited as one of many reasons to stay close to home.
Locals love sampling food, mingling with the community and attending festivals and when it comes to rural escapes, Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow were revealed as the top choices for those seeking a holiday at home.
Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Airbnb, said: 'We're fortunate to have some of the world's most stunning places right here in Ireland, and it's exciting to see nearly half of Irish people eager to explore more of our own country.
"Airbnb plays a key role in spreading tourism across Ireland, and the Rural Tourism Fund will boost and preserve the best of rural Ireland, allowing more people to experience our culture and beauty while benefiting local communities economically.'
Host Shelagh Nangle in County Westmeath said: 'It's brilliant that there's a growing desire for Irish people to explore more on our own shores. I've welcomed guests from America and all over Europe that are eager to experience the scenery and lively festivals local to us, and I would love to see more Irish families coming to embrace the beautiful countryside in their own backyard.
"With Airbnb boosting local tourism offerings through the new Rural Tourism Fund, I hope surrounding communities will be able to share even more in the benefits of welcoming visitors from Ireland and beyond.'
The Rural Tourism Fund is designed to help local organisations and communities bring their ideas to life. If you have a project that promotes or supports rural tourism in your community, you can apply by 11.59pm on June 16, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Ryanair, Eir and Sky are the companies most-complained about to the CCPC so far in 2025
RYANAIR, EIR AND Sky were the most-complained about companies in the first half of the year. The new report by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said a total of 20,526 consumers contacted its helpline, mostly by phone, email and webform from January to June. Some 4,724 queries related to faulty goods and services. The CCPC's free online Money Tools, which help compare different bank accounts and loan options, were used 352,655 times. Consumers reported spending an average of €6,400 on the product or service they had an issue with. Ryanair, Eir and Sky were the companies people most commonly had issues with. Advertisement Some 4,419 consumers contacted the helpline about an online purchase, with 17% of purchases coming from businesses outside of the EU – an increase of 9% compared the same period in 2024. The CCPC recommends buying from businesses based in Ireland or other EU countries, where Irish consumer rights are strong. Overall, the CCPC helpline was contacted about goods and services with a reported collective value of €56 million. The highest average spend was on vehicles and transport (€18,716), as well as home building and improvements (€13,443). Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications, said: 'Buying a car or a home are two of life's most significant financial decisions. Making the wrong choice can be very expensive.' The CCPC is calling for the government to create an online car history portal. This would allow consumers to check important information about a car's mileage, past accidents, safety recalls, and import status before buying a used car. It's also calling for more transparency in the homebuying process, arguing that necessary information about a property should be made available earlier in the process. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
ALDI Ireland agrees €1.2m partnership deal with Arigna Fuels
ALDI has today announced a new €1.2m partnership deal with Arigna Fuels, a family-run business from Arigna, Co Roscommon. The two-year deal will see Arigna Fuels' Harvest Flame, a low-emission, renewable heating product made from organic plant-based materials, available in all 164 ALDI stores nationwide from Thursday, August 21. Based in Arigna in Co Roscommon, Arigna Fuels currently employs 45 staff, and produces sustainable, quality fuels. Made in Ireland, their "Harvest Flame" product is made from 100% renewable raw materials and is designed for use in stoves, open fires, and outdoor fire pits. It is manufactured from olive stones which are a by-product in the production of olive oil. The olive fruit is harvested annually and trees are not required to be felled. The company recently made a significant investment in building Europe's largest biochar production facility in Roscommon to support the creation of this new product. ALDI said today's deal marks a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting Irish suppliers and offering customers sustainable, high-quality alternatives to traditional fuels. Over the past year, the product has been available as a Specialbuy at ALDI, and through this new contract ALDI and Arigna Fuels will deepen their partnership, reflecting a shared vision for a greener, more energy-efficient future. Barry Kirwan, Buying Director at ALDI Ireland, said the retailer was excited to partner with Arigna through this €1.2m initiative, which reflects its ongoing dedication to sustainability and supporting local Irish suppliers. "At ALDI, we are committed to making sustainability affordable for our customers, so shoppers can feel confident they are making responsible, sustainable choices when they shop with us," he said. Conor Layden, Commercial Director of Arigna Group, said the company was delighted to announce its partnership with ALDI to bring Harvest Flame to households across the country. "This partnership represents a strategic advancement in our commercial expansion and reinforces our commitment to delivering renewable, low-emission heating solutions," he said. "Harvest Flame is engineered for efficiency and sustainability, offering a reliable alternative to traditional solid fuels while supporting Ireland's transition to a low-carbon economy," he added.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
New Flogas deal brings wind energy to medium and large businesses
Flogas, which is owned by DCC, has announced a new partnership with Ørsted Onshore Ireland, which will enable businesses to directly source renewable electricity from the Knockawarriga wind farm in Co Limerick. Flogas said the new deal builds on its multi-buyer Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) model, which is designed to help medium and large sized companies achieve their net-zero targets. A Corporate Power Purchase Agreement is where a company agrees to purchase electricity directly from a wind farm or solar farm. Flogas noted that the demand for renewable CPPAs in Ireland is increasing significantly, driven by the growing number of companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, attain budget predictability in an unstable energy market and support their sustainability initiatives. In its 17 years of operations, the 22.5MW Knockawarriga wind farm has prevented over 33,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The first six businesses partnered with Knockawarriga wind farm include financial services, insurance, manufacturing, hospitality and food production sectors, and include Walsh Mushrooms Group and Allianz Worldwide Care. Flogas aims to supply renewable energy to over 20 medium and large sized businesses within the next 12 months through this model, supporting decarbonisation efforts and reducing reliance on imported energy. John Rooney, Managing Director at Flogas Ireland, said it is often the case that power purchase agreements are for the largest multinationals. "But this initiative reflects Flogas' vision of "Democratising CPPAs", making renewable energy purchase agreements accessible beyond just the largest corporations, and opening the door for more Irish businesses to take control of their energy future," Mr John Rooney added. "Businesses can decarbonise their energy consumption in the most stable, predictable and cost competitive manner," he said. "This market leading CPPA structure will increase electricity supply chain transparency and give control to medium and large companies who want to take responsibility and ownership for their electricity procurement and support local Irish renewable power," he added. TJ Hunter, Vice President Onshore Ireland UK, Ørsted, said that the company has been operating in the Irish market for decades generating renewable energy for homes and businesses across Ireland. "Wind farms such as Knockawarriga play a crucial role in Ireland's energy system and every effort must be made by Government and industry to ensure they continue to generate secure local energy for many decades to come," he added. The Government's Climate Action Plan sets a target that 15% of electricity consumption should come from renewable electricity contracted under CPPAs by 2030.
