The Government Cares More About Tourists Than Locals, Yet Tourism Is Still In Decline.
Words: Izzy Copestake
To stop tourism levels declining, we need to fix the problems at home. If Dublin isn’t for tourists, and it isn’t for locals – who exactly is it for?
From costume-wearing English stag dos stumbling around the cobbled streets of Temple Bar to American tourists huddling outside the Book of Kells, Dublin has long been hailed as a tourist-haven. However recent figures from Fáilte Ireland has revealed that there has been a decline in the number of tourists visiting Ireland this summer. More than half of operators (53%) reported lower summer numbers compared to 2023, with 64% seeing reduced profitability. While Dublin initially avoided the slowdown which impacted the rest of the country, by summer it too struggled with fewer visitors. Operators noted shorter stays from domestic tourists, and a drop in overseas visitors.
Combined with the eye-watering costs of running a small business in Ireland, this is having a devastating impact on the industry. “Many businesses in the tourism industry continue to face significant profitability challenges due to rising operational costs,” says Fáilte Ireland’s chief executive Paul Kelly.
According to Caeman Wall, Fáilte Ireland’s head of economic and industry analysis, the reason for this is economic. “It’s do to with the economic outlook really. When uncertainty is about, people don’t invest, growth then shrinks and the economy follows sooner or later. That’s the kind of reason you’d be worried about it.”
Tourism is a huge industry in Ireland, it employs thousands of people and is a key pillar of the economy. However with less domestic and international tourists able to afford holidays within Ireland, particularly with prices of alcohol, rent, and food increasing year on year, it begs the question: who is this industry for?
Just this year €167 million of public money was poured into the tourism industry.
From the paddy-wacked pubs of Temple Bar, and the auctioning off public spaces like Portobello Square for luxury hotels, the government have done everything they can to create spaces exclusively for tourists. Just this year €167 million of public money was poured into the tourism industry along with a record €288 million investment last year, yet tourism in Ireland continues to decline.
Across Europe, we’ve seen the rise of anti-tourism movements in places like Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. Protests highlight how tourism has pushed locals out, making housing unaffordable and transforming cities into playgrounds for visitors. With Dublin facing similar pressures, it’s worth asking: are we heading in the same direction?
7 in 10 people between the ages of 18 and 24 are considering moving abroad.
The symptoms are certainly there. Ireland has one of the most extreme housing crises’ in Europe and it’s 45% more expensive than the European average. These hostile factors are pushing young people out, with the Irish Youth Council reporting that 7 in 10 people between the ages of 18 and 24 are considering moving abroad.
The government is tackling the issue the wrong way round. Instead of pumping money into a specific form of tourism for English men in ‘Leprechaun hats’, perhaps the focus should be on making the quality of life better, and more enjoyable for the people who actually live here. In turn, this will make people want to visit and experience a country which the locals thrive in, making it a richer experience for tourists. We need a focus on affordable housing, transport, nightlife, and supporting the struggling local businesses so they don’t have to charge extortionate prices to keep their head above water.
The government is approaching the issue backwards. Instead of pouring money into attracting a narrow type of tourists on stag dos, the focus should be on improving the quality of life for the people who live here. By creating a place where locals thrive, it naturally becomes more appealing for visitors, offering them a richer, more authentic experience. Priorities should shift towards affordable housing, better transport, revitalising nightlife, and supporting struggling local businesses so they don’t need to charge sky-high prices just to survive.
