The figures come from new data from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC).

Preliminary indicators suggest that demand from mainland Europe and North America is at the forefront of the tourism recovery rate, as has been the case in the latter part of last year. Demand from Britain, the largest volume source market, remains “soft”.

Looking forward ITIC expressed concern that recovery would be threatened by continued cost inflation and supply shortages across tourism accommodation and car hire.

ITIC’s analysis shows that over one-third of all tourism beds in regional Ireland are now contracted to the Government to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and international asylum seekers.

Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Chairperson of ITIC, said “The number of tourism beds no longer available to the tourism economy is of great concern. There will be tourism towns up and down the country with a shortage of tourism beds and therefore with very little tourism activity.”

Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC said “Fáilte Ireland have estimated that the impact of the Government’s over-reliance on tourism beds will cost the tourism economy €1.1 billion this year. Downstream tourism businesses such as attractions, cultural experiences, inbound operators, restaurants, and vintners will be the ones to suffer.”

The confederation called for the introduction of a business support fund for non-accommodation tourism businesses who are impacted by Government contracts. It also repeated it’s called for a comprehensive 2-year plan to be published by the Department of the Taoiseach regarding the accommodation of refugees.