Inbound Tourism May 2026

Key Figures

Some 661,500 foreign residents completed their visits to Ireland in May 2026, a rise of 18% compared with May 2025. These visitors spent 4.8 million nights in Ireland, showing an increase of 16% with the same month in 2025. The visitors’ average length of stay was 7.2 nights, down from 7.3 nights in May 2025. Visitors spent €608 million on their trips, up 27% compared with May 2025.

Departing Passenger Categories

In total, 2,235,300 passengers departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026, a 4% increase compared with May 2025. The majority of departing passengers (60%) were Irish residents heading outbound for tourism or other purposes. A further 10% were same day visitors, comprising Northern Ireland residents heading outbound via an airport or seaport in Ireland (4%), foreign resident transfer passengers (5%), or other foreign resident same day visitors (1%). Some 30% of the departing passengers were foreign resident overnight visitors, constituting 661,500 visitors in total. The remainder of this release focuses exclusively on the characteristics and activities of these foreign resident overnight visitors, referred to simply as foreign visitors.

Detailed Residency

Of the 661,500 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026, an estimated 240,100 were residents of Great Britain, while a further 141,300 were residents of the United States, and 42,200 were residents of Germany. 

Nights in Ireland

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026 spent a total of 4,755,800 nights in the country. Broken down by residency, Other European visitors (i.e. European overseas visitors excluding Great Britain) spent more nights in the country than any other residency group, accounting for 1,789,400 (38%) of the nights. The next most important visitor group, in terms of nights spent, was North America making up 1,534,200 (32%) of the total nights. Visitors from Great Britain, were the third most important, accounting for a further 1,027,900 (22%) of the nights. Visitors from other residencies accounted for 404,300 (9%) nights.

Reason for Visit

Among the 661,500 foreign visitors departing Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026, more had come for the purpose of a Holiday than for any other reason. Some 306,900 (46%) stated that visiting for Holiday was the main reason for their trip. The next most common reason was for visiting Relatives & Friends, with 203,500 (31%) of the visitors coming for this purpose. A further 82,400 (12%) of the visitors had come for business or work-related reasons.

Accommodation

Among the 661,500 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026, some 305,400 (46%) stayed in a hotel as their main accommodation type. Another 223,000 (34%) of the visitors stayed in their own property or with family as their main accommodation type. Some 41,300 (6%) of the foreign visitors used rented/self-catering as their main accommodation type.

Expenditure

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2026 spent an estimated €608 million, excluding fares, on their trips, an increase of 27% compared with May 2025.

The total amount spent by foreign visitors (including fares) was €811 million. Broken down by expense category, the costliest subheading was accommodation, amounting to €296 million. The next costliest subheading was day-to-day spending (incidental expenditures incurred during their visit such as eating out, entrance fees, public transport, etc., but excluding accommodation) at €290 million. Fare costs were an estimated €204 million, while prepayments (items paid in advance, such as car hire, pre-booked tickets, etc.) were estimated at €22 million.