Northern Ireland overnight trips: holiday
Northern Ireland overnight trips: holiday stood at 2,685,527.88 Trips in 2025, according to Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). It is one of the indicators in the Tourism (Northern Ireland) table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2023 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Tourism (Northern Ireland) table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight trips by purpose | ||||
| Holiday | 2,685,527.88 | 2,378,430.44 | 2,769,717.4 | |
| Visiting friends or relatives | 1,747,040.61 | 1,722,093.13 | 2,046,520.82 |
Understanding northern Ireland overnight trips: holiday
This metric measures overnight journeys undertaken specifically for leisure, recreation, and holidays within Northern Ireland. It isolates holidaymakers from travellers motivated by business, family obligations, or medical appointments, providing a focused view of pure tourism demand. Included are stays at hotels, bed and breakfasts, caravan sites, and self-catering properties where relaxation or sightseeing is the primary objective. Day excursions are omitted entirely, ensuring the data strictly reflects multi-day leisure travel.
Evaluating holiday travel patterns demands caution regarding weather-driven seasonality and school holiday calendars, which heavily influence annual distribution. Early estimates frequently undergo revision as administrative records and survey responses are finalised. Comparing figures against the same period in previous years provides a clearer picture of structural shifts than sequential period reviews. Analysts must remember that this metric counts completed trips rather than the number of nights spent or total money expended during the getaway.
Frequently asked questions
- What distinguishes this from the general trip series?
- This category isolates leisure and holiday travel from professional, personal, and miscellaneous reasons for visiting.
- Are short weekend breaks included?
- Yes, provided the visit involves at least one overnight stay in commercial or non-commercial accommodation within the region.
- Does this cover holidays taken abroad by residents?
- No, this series exclusively counts holiday trips taken within the geographical boundaries of Northern Ireland.