Insights Roundup

The Insights Roundup summarises key reports and news articles found through horizon scanning. This process collates recently published external publications on relevant topics including the economy, consumer and industry sentiment, air/sea access and regeneration.

Insights Roundup 16/02/2026

Consumer:

  • GfK's long-running UK Consumer Confidence Index was up one point to -16 in January. Even with a one-point increase in headline confidence this month to -16, we remain a long way from consumers feeling that better days are around the corner. While perceptions of personal finances have improved, this is offset by growing concerns about the economy. We’ve seen this pattern before. During periods of political and economic uncertainty – most notably in late 2022 –consumers became more cautious but also more self-reliant. What we’re witnessing now is a return to that mindset: people feel they can manage their own finances, but they remain unconvinced about the wider economic outlook.  NiQ/GfK - UK Consumer Confidence Index (23 January 2026)  
  • As is usually the case, Irish consumer sentiment edged higher in January. However, if history is any guide, the February sentiment reading tends to signal a renewed focus on challenges for household finances and the broader economic environment. Frequently, this leads to a correction that brings the index lower. The monthly uptick in consumer sentiment could suggest Irish consumers may be detecting very tentative signs of a slowdown in living cost inflation of late.  The still downbeat tone of sentiment suggests consumers view this as some degree of easing in current pressures rather than signaling any clear gains in household spending power. Credit Union Ireland – ROI Consumer Confidence Index (27 January 2026) 

Tourism Performance:

  • During January-September 2025, there were over 3.8 million overnight trips taken in NI, accounting for over 12 million nights and almost £918 million expenditure. Overnight trips and spend increased by 6% and 10%, respectively. Nights saw a smaller increase of just 1%. The increase in overall performance was largely driven by the ROI and GB markets, with positive performance from these markets during January-September 2025 offsetting the declines from Domestic and Other Overseas visitors. Day trip performance in the 12 months to September 2025 experienced strong growth of almost two-fifths, with the number of domestic day trips and its associated expenditure increasing by 46% and 33% respectively. NISRA – Quarterly Tourism Statistics Publication Q3 2025 (29 January 2026) [see infographic here] 

Economy:

  • The Department for the Economy (DfE)’s Analytical Services Division produces a monthly economic update which analyses the main trends and events arising each month, both in the local economy and any national or global economic events which will impact on Northern Ireland. The January 2026 update is now available below. DfE – Monthly Economic Update January 2026 (2 February 2026)  
  • The latest NI Composite Economic Index indicates that the NI economy grew by 1.0% over the quarter and by 2.9% over the year to Q3 2025, reaching a new series high and a level that was 12.0% higher than in pre-Pandemic Q4 2019. For comparison, UK GDP increased over the quarter (0.1%) and over the year (1.3%) to quarter 3 2025. NISRA – Northern Ireland Composite Economic Index Q3 2025 (15 January 2026) 

Closer to Home:

  • Some 524,100 foreign visitors completed a trip to the Republic of Ireland in December 2025, an increase of 34% when compared with December 2024. Overall, for the full year 2025, total foreign visitor numbers fell by 3% to 6.4 million. Overnight foreign visitor nights throughout 2025 and associated expenditure both experienced declines compared to 2024 as well. For the full year 2025, visitors from Great Britain accounted for the largest share (38%), compared with Continental Europe (33%), North America (24%), and Rest of the World (5%). CSO - Inbound Tourism December 2025 (29 January 2026) 

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