Industry body forecasts improved recovery of tourism for 2022

• Projections this year now show 67% recovery to 2019 levels, up from 60% 
• ITIC predict full recovery won’t be achieved until 2026 
• Flagship conference sees tourism sustainability report launched in association with AIB
• 26 key policy recommendations
• Cost inflation, labour shortages and Ukraine war all pose a challenge as ITIC warn that “Government must stay the course in supporting tourism recovery” 

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The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has today issued revised growth scenarios which show this year could see inbound tourism recovery reach 67% of 2019 levels although full recovery won’t be achieved until 2026.  This is an increase on the 60% recovery that ITIC had estimated earlier in the year and is based on increased airline capacity into the country, pent-up demand in key source markets, and growing consumer confidence that the Covid-19 pandemic is being suppressed.   

These new projections are being published at ITIC’s flagship conference at Croke Park. ITIC also announces a strategic partnership with AIB that includes a key tourism sustainability report launched as part of the conference.  Ruth Andrews, Chairperson of ITIC, said “After 2 traumatic years for Irish tourism today sees new hope for our most important indigenous industry and biggest regional employer. Recovery can happen more quickly than anticipated which will be good for the tourism businesses as well as the national economy. ITIC is delighted to partner with AIB and today’s conference and report are key staging posts on the journey to sustainable recovery.” 

Speakers at the ITIC conference, which is being moderated by broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald, include Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, economist David McWilliams, Professor Luke O’Neill, AIB CEO Colin Hunt, Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton and IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh amongst others. 

Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC, said “Crucially for Irish tourism, air access has been restored quickly and ambitiously by airlines and this is critical to recovery.” He went on to warn though that the war in Ukraine, inflation and labour shortages could put a handbrake on the sector’s recovery and added “Government needs to stay the course in terms of supporting the tourism industry to full recovery. This includes maintaining investment in the sector and deferring the scheduled tourism Vat increase later this year.” 

ITIC’s Tourism Industry Sustainability report makes 26 recommendations across the 3 spheres of sustainability; economic, social and environmental. The report argues that industry is committed to the challenge of minimising its greenhouse gas emissions but will need support from the Just Transition Fund. 

Recommendations include the need to set baseline and emission targets for the industry development of an off , the setting project of scale within Ireland to support the circular tourism economy, and the roll out of carbon calculators for businesses.

The full ITIC report Delivering a Sustainable Tourism Industry, can be viewed at www.itic.ie.