It’s claimed Clare’s collective tourism industry stakeholders have to improve their collaboration in order to ensure a year-long visitor season.
It comes as a newly published report by the Banking and Payments Federation has indicated that economic uncertainty for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors can be offset by growing domestic tourism.
The BPFI’s latest annual report found Ireland recorded a €34.3 billion increase in the value of exported goods between January and March.
However, 99% of this was attributed to the medical and pharmaceutical sector and it’s believed multinational firms were front loading to counteract expected tariffs from the Trump administration.
Therefore Ireland’s growth in the sector is not forecast to be sustainable throughout the year, but the BPFI believes domestic tourism could plug that gap.
Shannon Chamber President and former Managing Director of Dromoland Castle, Mark Nolan insists Clare has all the ingredients for an all-round tourism season, but that joined-up thinking between stakeholders must improve.
A North Clare Hotelier, meanwhile, believes this county needs to capitalise on what it already does well, rather than reinventing the wheel to see more success.
The BPFI also found the number of foreign visitors to Ireland fell roughly 300,000 year on year to 1.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, however early trends show domestic travel spending is on the rise.
Doolin Inn Owner Athony Moloney believes Clare’s quintessential local offering will allow the industry to thrive this year.
