Residents’ attitudes towards tourism in Ireland in 2025

Overview

Fáilte Ireland’s 2025 research on Residents’ Attitudes Towards Tourism in Ireland is based on an online survey of 3,805 adults. Research took place from April to September 2025 among a representative sample of the population. It shows that residents recognise the benefits of tourism on Ireland’s economy, culture, and community life. It also indicates, however, that tourism activity may put pressure on the community.

Key takeaways

1. Most residents see tourism as a force for good

In 2025, 90% of residents agreed that inbound tourism is good for their county. 91% said the same for domestic tourism.

Nearly nine in 10 residents said tourism is important for the Irish economy. 

2. The positive impacts of tourism continue to outweigh the negatives

88% said they have personally benefited from tourism activity. Top benefits included local businesses staying open, employment, learning about different cultures, and participating in local events.

At the same time, 76% said they experienced some negative impacts, with the main concerns being about litter, traffic, parking, and higher day-to-day living costs.

3. Residents show an interest in local tourism development

59% would like to be involved in local tourism development through active participation or feedback. Interest was higher among residents aged 18 to 29, at 72%.

4. Residents want focus on infrastructure, jobs, and off-peak tourism

Residents ranked infrastructure improvement as a priority for future tourism development, at 34%, followed by more local employment at 28% and more off-peak season tourism at 25%.

Practical actions you can take

Support your local community

• Show where visitor spend supports local jobs, suppliers, or events. 
• Review your visitor information against the local pressure points named in the research.
• When asked, provide feedback via surveys, local meetings, or online suggestion boxes, etc.

Manage visitor impacts

• Keep visitor information clear before arrival, including access, and transport options. 
• Consider where off-peak activity could support demand outside busier periods.
• Residents highlighted traffic, parking, and litter as pressure points. Check upcoming events or busy days against parking, litter, and local access risks. 
• Find ways to include residents when plans could affect the local environment or public spaces.