Central Statistics Office: leisure sector footfall up 6.2%

New CSO figures show participation in indoor and outdoor leisure activities rose 6.2% year on year, continuing the recovery trend recorded since 2023.

Growth was strongest in family-oriented indoor activity, with weekday off-peak visits improving fastest, a pattern consistent with what PALI members report through the quarterly operator survey.

Average spend per visit rose more slowly than footfall, which suggests households are still visiting but trading down on extras. Operators are responding with bundled packages rather than headline price increases.

PALI will publish a sector-specific breakdown alongside the next operator survey.