The Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK International had also recently reported that the international student population in Northern Ireland has contributed approximately $1.2 billion to the economy of the region.
The Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK International had also recently reported that the international student population in Northern Ireland has contributed approximately $1.2 billion to the economy of the region.
Ireland experienced a surge in international arrivals, with over 1.78 million people traveling to the country from abroad in April this year.
According to the Central Statistics Office, as cited by Schengen Visa News, this represents a 4.2 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. The figures indicate a significant recovery in the tourism sector, with a remarkable 21 percent year-on-year growth since the implementation of travel restrictions. Air travel experienced the most notable increase, it noted.
Passenger arrivals at regional airports soared by more than 39 percent, signaling a surge in demand since 2019, as revealed in a recent report by the Irish Examiner. Air travel accounted for approximately 1,676,000 arrivals, while 108,300 individuals opted for sea travel to reach the country.
The recovery trend has been evident across all major air routes, with transatlantic travel experiencing a remarkable increase of over 40 percent, said CSO statistician Gregg Patrick.
Meanwhile, Spain emerged as one of the most favored destinations, witnessing nearly a quarter of a million passenger arrivals, a surge of just under 25 percent, while Ireland topped the list for citizens from the United Kingdom, with a total of 634,500 travelers choosing the country as their preferred destination, utilizing air and sea routes.
The recovery in international travel to Ireland has been ongoing since the beginning of the year. The CSO figures also revealed a significant increase of 56 percent in February 2023 compared to the same period last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels recorded in February 2020.
Moreover, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation has also reported encouraging figures, indicating that a total of seven million international visitors traveled to Ireland last year, marking a remarkable 73 percent recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Among the key source markets, mainland Europe played a significant role, with 1.5 million high-spending North Americans also visiting the country, said the ITIC.
According to the Irish Universities Association, Ireland is currently home to more than 32,000 international students who are taking advantage of the diverse selection of courses offered.
The Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK International had also recently reported that the international student population in Northern Ireland has contributed approximately $1.2 billion to the economy of the region.
