According to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the number of domestic trips taken by Irish residents decreased by 18.6% year-on-year during the second half of 2020.
"Just Over 18 Million Bed Nights"
The CSO stated on its website, "Irish residents took more than 5.3 million domestic trips in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, a decrease of 18.6% when compared with the same period in 2019. These trips resulted in just over 18 million bed nights, which was the same amount as in the second half of 2019."
Total Expenditure
Revealing the total expenditure on domestic trips during the second half of last year, the CSO stated, "Total expenditure on domestic trips in Q3 and Q4 2020 amounted to €1,167 million. Those on holidays accounted for €916 million of this, while those visiting friends or relatives spent €168 million. When compared with the same period in 2019, expenditure on holidays was up 11.5%, while spending on trips to visit friends or relatives was down by a quarter (-24.9%)."
Hotel Accommodation Information
Revealing how many domestic trips for which people who stayed in hotel accommodation accounted during the second half of last year, the CSO stated, "Persons who stayed in hotel accommodation accounted for almost 1.7 million domestic trips in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, while those staying with family or friends accounted for more than 1.8 million trips. Overall, hotel stays were down by almost one third (-31.6%) in the second half of 2020, while trips to self-catering/rented house were up by a quarter (+24.7%)."
Specific Types Of Trips
Revealing figures for specific types of domestic trips taken during the second half of last year, the CSO stated, "Irish residents took 5.6% less domestic holiday trips in the second half of 2020 when compared with the same period in 2019. Trips to visit friends or relatives were down by 20.2%, while business trips were down by 70.1%. While holiday trips were down overall in Q3 and Q4 2020, the number of nights spent on domestic holidays were up by over one million nights (+10.4%)."
Additional Information
The CSO added, "In Q3, 2020 domestic trips increased by 290,000 compared with Q3 2019, but in Q4 2020 trips declined by just over 1.5 million compared with Q4 2019. While nights were up by 2.1 million and expenditure was up €170 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, nights on trips fell by 2.3 million and expenditure dropped by €286 million in Q4 2020 when compared with Q4 2019."
CSO Statistician Statement
In a statement commenting on the above data published on the CSO's website, statistician Brendan Curtin said, "The figures provide information on the impact of COVID-19 on domestic travel after the initial travel restrictions were lifted in 2020.
"Domestic trips increased by 290,000 trips in the third quarter of 2020 when compared with quarter three 2019. In quarter four 2020, domestic trips declined by just over 1.5 million trips compared with quarter four 2019.
"The number of nights spent on domestic trips were up by 2.1 million and expenditure on these trips was up by €170 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. In contrast, domestic nights on trips fell by almost 2.3 million trips and expenditure dropped by €286 million in Q4 2020 when compared with Q4 2019."
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