Is Ireland’s staycation boom coming to an end? Hoteliers are reporting a significant decline in domestic summer bookings, with numbers dropping by up to 50% since the peak of the pandemic. According to SHR Group, a hotel technology platform, bookings at Irish hotels for July and August this year have decreased by 45-53% compared to the same period in 2021. On the other hand, bookings made by American and UK citizens for Ireland have seen a 27% increase for this summer compared to last year.
Megan Campbell, the owner of Unique Irish Homes, a luxury self-catering holiday rental company, noted that domestic bookings have fallen by over 15 percentage points for the upcoming year. This shift in booking patterns signals a potential shift in the travel landscape, with a resurgence in interest from American and British visitors.
The trend of declining domestic bookings and the rise in international interest have been met with mixed reactions from the industry. While hoteliers and holiday companies are welcoming the increase in American and British visitors, the decrease in bookings from natives is a cause for concern. The shift in travel preferences could have significant implications for the tourism sector in Ireland.
As the sun sets on the Irish staycation boom, it remains to be seen how the industry will adapt to these changing dynamics. With domestic bookings drying up and international interest on the rise, the future of tourism in Ireland may be at a crossroads.
