For the first time ever, tourism businesses in County Kerry will receive invaluable insights into visitor behaviour and attitudes to their holiday in Kerry.  Fáilte Ireland has released figures from a programme of research which was carried out last year.

During the 2011 season, a sample of some 1,800 visitors across the county were interviewed between June and October 2011 with some 1,400 visitors stemming from overseas whilst 400 Irish and Northern Irish holiday makers were interviewed.

Some of the key findings of the research showed the following:

*       Almost half of overseas holidaymakers said that they came to Kerry for the scenery.

*       One third (32%) of overseas holidaymakers first came across Kerry through guidebooks, more than a quarter (27%) first heard of the county through word of mouth.

*       The internet (72%) and guidebooks (64%) were the main sources of information about Kerry before leaving home.  Most of those who used the internet used general search engines such as Google or Bing (92%).  Over a quarter (27%) used Discover Ireland websites (either .ie or .com).

*       Once in Kerry, when looking for information, 84% used a Tourist Information Office and more than a quarter (28%) went to their accommodation provider for information

*       Over a third said that they went hiking/cross country walking while on holiday in Kerry.