THE US element of Shannon Region tourism is the only one showing consistent decline, according to the latest official figures from Fáilte Ireland.
In what has been an up and down performance over the four years up to 2008, American visitor numbers are down by just short of 17% and compare with growth of 20% and more in numbers coming from the UK and Europe.
According to the breakdown of regional tourism performance, the Shannon Region suffered setbacks from all markets in 2008. Numbers from Britain were down by 78,000 to 407,000 and represented a 16% fall on the 485,000 levels of 2007. That was short of the 2006 high when 572,000 UK visitors came to the region.
The 2008 figures also show slippage in the level of tourism business from continental Europe after four years of substantial growth. Numbers from Europe fell back by 22,000 from 378,000 in 2007 to 356,000 in 2008. That converted into a decline of 5.8%.
The 7% fall in tourism numbers from North America continued a pattern of decline. The 2008 total of 275,000 was 21,000 under the previous year’s figure of 296,000.
The importance of US tourism business is borne out in Fáilte Ireland figures, which show that Americans were the big users of hotels and were second to their UK counterparts in the number of overnights they spent in the Shannon Region. Just over half of American visitors booked into hotels and, with a 51% average, were well ahead of the 39% of UK visitors and the 29% average from the European market. Americans accounted for 14% of the bed nights spent by overseas visitors and were second to British visitors, who accounted for 23% of total bed nights.
The value of the American market is also reflected in the 2008 figures for tourism revenues earned from overseas visitors. While numbers were down, revenues from both the Continental and American markets were up.
Even though American numbers were well behind those from other markets, revenue of €111million from the North American market was just €8 million behind the revenue from the British market, even though the UK numbers were over 130,000 higher.
The extent of the decline in American tourism business in the Shannon Region shows up in comparisons over the period of four years for which Fáilte Ireland has readjusted its statistical measurements. The figures for the period from 2005 and 2008 show the American market falling further and further behind. Over the period, tourism numbers from the UK grew by 25%. The 407,000 level of British visitors recorded in 2008 was 83,000 higher than the 324,000 figure for 2005.
Substantial growth has also taken place in the four-year period from the European market. The 2008 figure of 356,000 was 59,000 up on the 297,000 recorded in 2005 and represented an increase of just short of 20%.
However, American numbers are down by marginally under 17% over the four-year period. Back in 2005, numbers reached 331,000 but that had declined by 56,000 to a 21st century low of 275,000 in 2008.
The Fáilte Ireland figures also show a marked contrast in the share-out of tourism numbers and revenues between Clare and Limerick.
County Clare got the lion’s share of just under 1.1million overseas tourist visits in 2008 but played second fiddle to Limerick when it came to revenue.
The 607,000 level recorded for Clare amounted to 55% of the regional total, which was well ahead of Limerick’s 44% share, which came to 484,000. But the position was reversed when revenues were calculated, with Limerick on a 57% share worth €227million and Clare bringing in €141million, which amounted to a 35% share.
In addition to the 1.1million overseas tourist visits and the revenues of just short of €400 million they brought to the Shannon Region, tourism from the home market reached a new high of 888,000 in 2008, although revenues were down from the previous year to €127million, which was €11million down on 2007.