Extra flights predicted to boost tourism numbers
The increase in the number of flights to Ireland could boost tourism to eight million overseas visitors this year, it was claimed today.
Tourism Ireland is optimistic that the 40% increase in air access capacity from continental Europe will help the island achieve its growth target of 5% for 2005.
There will be 31,000 more seats available than last summer, largely as a result of new services provided by Ryanair, Easyjet and Aer Lingus, the tourism agency said.
The majority of the increases will be on flights to Dublin, but Belfast, Cork and Shannon will see the biggest proportional rise in the number of available seats.
Other regional airports, including Kerry, Knock and Galway, will benefit from greater capacity from Europe, with around 2,000 extra seats per week in the summer.
Britain, which has been identified as the largest tourism market for Ireland, will see an increase of 16% or an extra 34,000 seats to the island over the number available last year.
Tourism Ireland is also hoping that, with the recovery of the North American market, Ireland will attract a record 1.1 million US visitors to the country in 2005.
There will be an increase of 17% or 4,000 extra seats available from North America, including the launch of American Airlines flights from Chicago to Dublin and Boston to Shannon and a new Aer Lingus route from Orlando, Florida.
Continental is introducing a route between Newark and Belfast, the first ever direct transatlantic service to Northern Ireland, which starts operating at the end of May.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Paul O’Toole said: “It is early days yet and, in particular now that consumers are leaving booking decisions later than ever, it is very difficult to predict business levels for the coming months.
“However, based on the level of enquiries to date, we are optimistic that we can build on the momentum gained last year.
“Changing consumer habits such as shorter length of stay means that the real challenge will be to translate anticipated volume growth into corresponding revenue growth and a better spread of business across the whole of the island of Ireland,” he said.
