Irish tourist spend in a number of Gulf states and the US appeared to fall sharply in the first four months of the year, according to data from Bank of Ireland.
It said card spending in the US by its customers was 19% lower between January and April when compared to the same period of 2025.
Spending in Saudi Arabia was down 35%, while spend in the United Arab Emirates was 36% lower.
This is likely due to security concerns and geopolitical tensions, as the US-Iran war has impacted travel networks and tourist sentiment in the region.
By contrast Bank of Ireland said its customers increased their spending in Canada by 4%, while spend in Mexico rose by 80% - likely due to a new Aer Lingus service connecting Dublin with Cancún.
Spending by BOI customers in Norway was 31% higher in the period, while spending in Finland rose by 24%.
Meanwhile spend in Czechia was up 39%, likely reflecting the numbers that travelled to Prague to watch Ireland's World Cup play-off match.
