The CSO estimates that €5 billion is spent each summer in the Irish hospitality sector and they suggest a fall in spend this summer of 4% (or €200 million). A recent nationwide survey by iReach Insights shows households are further reducing non-essential spend on hospitality, down an average of 10% this summer, which could impact the sector to as much as €500 million this year, higher than the estimated CSO figure.
Oisin Byrne iReach Research Directors says “Hopefully a significant fall in planned spend by consumers in Ireland is offset by an increase in tourist visits to Ireland, as well as an expected jump in Staycations, as holiday plans shift to locations closer to home for Irish, UK and European travellers in place of international holiday destinations”
- More than 1 in 2 adults (53%) say they socialise less than before compared to 2025 due to the rising cost of living with 23% of these socialising much less than before.
- This is highest for adults aged 45-54 with 65% saying they socialise less with 30% socialising much less than before.
- 44% of adults feel it has become too expensive to eat and drink out regularly, 18% say they go out less often and spend less when they do, and 16% say they go out less often but spend the same when they do.
- 29% of adults say they are more likely to choose a holiday in Ireland instead of travelling abroad compared to last summer, with 13% of these much more likely.
- This is highest for adults aged 18-24 with 48% more likely to holiday in Ireland this summer, of these 23% are much more likely.
- Over half (54%) have reduced spending on restaurant meals in recent months, 43% have spent less on takeaways, 39% have spent less on pubs, and 36% have spent less on coffee or café visits.
- 1 in 3 adults (34%) expect their spending on social activities to decrease in the next 6 months with 12% of these expecting spending to decrease significantly.
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About iReach Insights
iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 19th and 26th of May and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.
Questions asked of adults nationwide:
Q1. Compared to this time last year, how often are you going out to pubs, bars or restaurants?
Q2. How has the cost of living affected your social habits over the past 12 months?
Q3. Which statement best reflects your current attitude towards eating and drinking out?
Q4. Which of the following ‘social activities’ have you reduced spending on in recent months due to rising living costs?
Q5. Over the next 6 months, do you expect your spending on social activities such as cafés, restaurants, pubs and entertainment to…
Q6. Compared to last summer, are you more or less likely to choose a holiday in Ireland instead of travelling abroad?
iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.
iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: oisin.byrne@ireachhq.com or phone 086 8506364