TNI’s Industry Barometer Survey
Tourism NI commissioned a survey in October with NI’s tourism industry to monitor 2022 year-to-date (Jan – Sept) business performance, outlook for the remainder of the year and into 2023, as well as causes of concern.
Overall, the industry has had a positive business performance over the January – September 2022 period with almost two-thirds reporting business turnover returning to or exceeding pre-Covid 2019 levels.
The majority of accommodation providers report that room yields have been higher (41%) or similar (33%) to 2019, which is corroborated by STR hotel data.
Growth in the close to home markets (NI, ROI & GB) benefited many businesses in recovering to or exceeding pre-Covid 2019 levels, although around one-quarter continue to report reduced visitor volumes from these key markets.
Just under two-thirds of providers have seen international visitor volumes either return to (31%) or exceed (32%) pre-Covid levels, with 4 in 10 (37%) yet to see a return to 2019 volumes.
Whilst the outlook is generally positive for the remainder of the year and into 2023, significant levels of concern prevail regarding the impact of rising energy costs, which sit alongside other increasing operating costs and the ongoing challenges presented by the reduction in people’s disposable income.
In response to rising operating costs, nearly three in five (59%) businesses say they have or intend to increase prices.
Other key actions businesses will take in relation to rising operating costs include reducing energy consumption and searching for better supplier deals. Just under one-fifth of businesses will reduce opening days/hours (17%) and cut some products/services (16%).
Approximately one-quarter of businesses employing staff highlighted ongoing concerns in relation to staff recruitment, retention and training.
Looking ahead, the combination of the return of overseas visitors and continued success of repeat visitors were highlighted as reasons to be positive for the remainder of the year and into 2023.
Download:
Previous Tourism Industry Barometer Reports
To view previous Tourism Industry Barometer Reports, please click here.