Overseas visitors spent an estimated €595 million in Ireland during September, an increase of 4% on the same month last year, despite a decline in visitor numbers.
Figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that 590,700 overseas overnight visitors completed trips to Ireland during the month, down 2% compared with September 2025.
Visitors stayed for a combined 4.4 million nights, up 1% year on year, with the average trip extending from 7.1 to 7.4 nights. The spending figure excludes fares.
The results reveal contrasting performances across key markets. Visitor numbers from Continental Europe increased by 8%, while those from North America and Great Britain fell by 10% and 7% respectively.
Despite the September slowdown, the wider year-to-date picture remains positive. Almost 5.3 million overseas visitors travelled to Ireland between January and September, up 9% on the corresponding period in 2025. Tourism Ireland reported spending of €4.6 billion over those nine months, an increase of 11%.
Responding to the figures, Tourism Ireland chief executive Alice Mansergh acknowledged that businesses were experiencing mixed trading conditions, despite overall growth in visitors and spending.
The agency pointed to emerging evidence of a broader slowdown in outbound travel from the United States. It also noted that Ireland’s hosting of an NFL game in September 2025 may have influenced the year-on-year comparison for North American visitors.
Tourism Ireland is continuing its autumn promotional activity across overseas markets, with campaigns designed to support demand outside the peak season.
Around 80 tourism SMEs from across the island are expected to join the agency at World Travel Market next week, where they will pursue overseas partnerships and business opportunities for 2027.
