Tourists praise friendly Dublin

EVER wondered what makes Dublin so popular with our tourists? New figures show that our capital – and the country generally – is once again on the rise as a popular holiday destination.

The figures revealed that over one million people visited the country in the first two months of the year for the first time in the State’s history.

Tourism Ireland and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, welcomed this achievement, along with a 17.1 per cent increase in visitors between December 2015 and February 2016, compared to the previous year.

With St Patrick’s Day and the Easter Rising centenary celebrations expected to have drawn even more overseas visitors, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, insists they are committed to ensuring that this growth continues, despite fears about the safety of travel in Europe.

“Our focus now is on surpassing last year’s success, to ensure that 2016 is another record-breaking year for overseas tourism,” Mr Gibbons said. “We remain conscious of recent tragic events in Brussels and the potential impact on travel and we continue to monitor the situation.”

The outgoing Government’s tourism action plan aims to have 10 million people visit Ireland annually by 2025. 

“The visitor numbers released today show that our ambitious policy is building from a strong base,” Deputy Donohoe said. “I know that sentiment within the industry is very positive for the remainder of the year ahead.”

When we spoke to tourists who were visiting Dublin, a number of reasons for our popularity were cited, including the city’s atmosphere, nightlife, music and the friendliness of the people. 

Julie Dick, from North Carolina in the USA, complimented Dubliners for the warm welcome she had received.

“They may not smile at everyone they pass in the street or stand next to waiting for the bus, but once you strike up a conversation they will be warm and welcoming,” Julie told us. 

For Italian Carlotta Cá Margot, as well as enjoying Dublin’s food culture and pubs, she insisted that the Irish people were the best thing about the country.

“They are incredibly open to foreigners and always smile and help if you need them to,” she revealed. “I loved this more than anything else.”  

Also from Italy, Anna Liz Menin has toured Dublin and the rest of Ireland several times. She listed many things she loves about our country.

 “Above all, the sky,” she said. “And then the cliffs and the landscapes; people playing music in the streets; the atmosphere in the pubs; and the kindness of Irish people.”

Daniel O’Connor