Dublin dominates as top winter break location as seasonal spending rises substantially

Irish Examiner

a day ago

More than half of all Irish city trips in the winter months were to Dublin, new figures from Fáilte Ireland show, with the capital accounting for 52% of city breaks between November and February.
Publishing its Consumer Winter Report 2025 this week, Fáilte Ireland found that increased popularity of Dublin saw marginally less demand for breaks across some other Irish cities. Galway comprised 20% of winter trips, down from 23% in the same time last year, while Kilkenny made up 9% of winter breaks, down from 11%. Waterford remained unchanged, with 12% of city breaks taking place in the south-east city.
Meanwhile, 17% of the city trips last winter were to Cork, up from 15% in the same season last year, with Limerick comprising 10%, up marginally compared to the same period 12 months ago.
While there has been little change in the share of travel, the number of domestic trips across the country has risen significantly in the past three years, Fáilte Ireland found, helped by St Brigid's Day which became a bank holiday in 2023.
The tourism agency also found that year-on-year card spending throughout the winter months and into March saw substantial increases, outpacing inflation during the same period.
The spending figures indicate that consumers have enjoyed increased disposable income, likely contributing positively to Ireland's tourism sector throughout the winter months.
Latest CSO data indicates that holiday spend for 2024 is up 12% annually, Fáilte Ireland said, with it likely that this continued into early 2025, as indicated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
However, the agency said it is important to note that the increase in spending is not necessarily evenly distributed, with affordability pressures such as housing costs and inflation limiting the spending of younger and lower-income groups.
While the proportion of people taking domestic breaks has remained relatively unchanged, the number of trips have increased, with this suggesting an increase in the frequency of taking trips amongst those already taking breaks.
With spending up and household financial situation improving, Fáilte Ireland said it augers well for the sector this summer.
However, it said sentiment is still somewhat tentative, with value for money remaining a key consideration for consumers.
"The cost-of-living situation demands for more financially palatable holiday experiences in Ireland," Fáilte Ireland said.
"Identifying what will make holidays less of a financial burden for key segments is key to ensuring travel plans are kept."