Every year, more than 5 million foreigners flock to the Irish capital. What do tourists look for in Dublin? What are the consequences of mass tourism? What concrete actions have been taken to combat its potential harmful effects? We look at the question.
Dublin: tourist city par excellence
Over the last thirty years, tourism has exploded in Ireland in general, and in Dublin in particular. In 1995, only 4.8 million went to the island… Compared to more than 10 million in 2017. In 2024, the capital alone should welcome more than 6 million visitors.
These travelers, from all over the world, but mainly from Europe, come to Dublin in search of pleasure, fun, but also culture. Restaurants and pubs are numerous in the Irish capital, particularly on Temple Bar, and the festive spirit is very present, with the distilleries and the omnipresent imprint of the Guinness brand…
But Dublin also has two very beautiful cathedrals, Trinity College, museums, a castle… And it is also a relatively practical starting point for visiting the Giant’s Causeway major tourist attraction in Ireland.
Tourism in Dublin: an asset above all
Mass tourism gets a bad rap, but let’s not forget that it is above all beneficial for the metropolises, in particular for Dublin.
Of course, tourism particularly benefits the local economy. The benefits are immense in several key sectors linked to tourism such as hotels, restaurants, culture, and even transport…
The development of tourism in Ireland has also made it possible to create jobs in various sectors. Most of the jobs created are directly linked to tourism, but other ancillary jobs have been created (large distribution, maintenance of green spaces, airport, public transport, etc.).
Finally, the influx of tourists also pushes the Irish government and the municipality to maintain and enhance your heritage as well as various infrastructures, including public transport, parks and road networks.
The disadvantages of tourism in Dublin
That being said, there is no point in turning a blind eye. It is obvious that mass tourism can also cause problems for the population if it is not organized effectively.
As in all major cities in Europe, in recent years we have been able to witness a inflation in Dublin, particularly in the sector real estate. This is due to gentrification of the city center, but also to the appropriation by investors of numerous housing units in the most popular neighborhoods. Investors are buying up housing as short-term rentals for tourists, which has the effect of increasing rental prices across most of the city.
The influx of tourists is also a source of overpopulation in the most touristy areas. In addition to housing prices, this overpopulation has direct consequences on the quality of life of Dubliners. THE transportation are frequently overcrowded during rush hours, and motorists face numerous traffic jams and parking difficulties.
Finally, let us not forget that mass tourism is a significant source of air and noise pollution. Air traffic has increased considerably since the appearance of low-cost airlines. Same thing for the number of cars and buses… This obviously has consequences on the quality of the air as well as on the peace and quiet of life of the inhabitants of the Irish capital.
Dublin’s responses to mass tourism
To make the most of tourist influxes without suffering the consequences, the city of Dublin, like the rest of Ireland, has been able to take the lead.
First of all, it is interesting to note that the Irish government has long highlighted ecological and responsible tourism in its communication.
In Dublin, the services of bike renting are numerous, and the network of cycle paths is very good.
It is also in Dublin that we find Phoenix Parkthe second largest urban park in Europe. Famous for its wild deer, the park is a pride of the city, and an excellent lever to encourage good behavior. Indeed, in Dublin as in the other tourist spots on the island, good behavior is encouraged and valuedparticularly with regard to transport.
Moreover, a plan to improve public transport was recently announced. The network of tram should soon be improved, and two metro lines could be created, in particular a line from St Stephen’s Green to Dublin Airport.