Switch to 'staycations' could inject €400m into economy, says campaign

Irish residents spend €4 billion a year on foreign holidays, and if just one-tenth of this was switched to spending on “staycations” it could provide the country with an economic fillip worth up to €400 million.

This is according to a new campaign that aims to encourage Irish people to holiday at home this year.

The campaign and website, StayHome.ie, was unveiled by Senator Catherine Noone yesterday in Dublin's St Stephen's Green.

“Unfortunately, many people won’t be in a position to take a holiday this year. But despite our current economic situation, many people are still holidaying abroad and they are spending plenty of money while they are at it. The most recent figures available, for 2009, show that Irish people spent almost €4 billion on foreign holidays during the year,” Ms Noone said. “If we could get just a portion of these people to stay at home instead, it would give a great boost to the local economy.”

According to the most recent figures from the Central Statistics Office’s Household Travel Survey, Irish people spend €878 per person on a foreign holiday, while those who stay at home spend €209 on average.

Also on hand at St Stephen’s Green to launch the campaign was Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring, Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, and Deirdre Regan of Ireland’s Blue Book.