Wise research reveals almost Half of Irish People Plan to Travel this St. Patrick’s Day

Wise, the international money account, has released new consumer spending research to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. According to the St. Patrick’s Day Spending Report, despite rising holiday costs, almost half (47%) of Irish people have planned a trip either abroad or domestically to make the most of the bank holiday weekend.

Irish people are savvy when it comes to holiday spending with 7 in 10 (70%) of survey respondents setting themselves a budget. Almost a third (32%) will staycation on the emerald isle while 15% have booked a flight abroad, the majority to Europe and the UK (10%). When respondents factored in flights and accommodation, 75% expect to spend more than €500 on flights while half expect to spend just as much on accommodation.

The research, which saw Censuswide independently poll 1,000 Irish people, also shows that almost 40% of respondents will be rolling out the Céad Míle Fáilte and will play tour guide to loved ones visiting from overseas, largely from the UK (33%), Europe (30%), and North America (12%).

St. Patrick’s Day is recognised worldwide, with the Irish and those with Irish heritage celebrating right across the globe, from America to Australia. To mark the holiday with those abroad, Wise’s St. Patrick’s Day Spending Report found that:

—  1 in 3 (34%) respondents will send €114 on average to their loved ones overseas

—  Over a quarter (26%) plan to send the price of a few pints as a digital cheers

—  64% expect the money to be spent on socialising at pubs, parades or dinner parties

Back at home, the survey found that while inflation is coming down, 77% believe the price of a pint has skyrocketed. Determined not to let this dampen their spirits, more than half (55%) of survey respondents still plan to join in the festivities and head to the pub, although around 1 in 8 (12%) don’t intend on coughing up for an overpriced beer. Others looking to keep costs down are choosing to raise a glass with family, friends and visitors at home (23%).

Like most national holidays, St. Patrick’s Day also involves gathering together for a meal with family and friends. Of those surveyed, respondents expect to spend an average of €92, giving restaurants a much-needed revenue boost:

—  The majority (32%) of those surveyed will opt to order in by grabbing a takeaway

—   27% plan to toast the holiday by dining out in a restaurant

Roisin Levine, Head of Partnerships, UK and Ireland at Wise said:

“As we approach Ireland’s National holiday, Wise’s St. Patrick’s Day Spending Report reveals that Irish consumers are set to spend an average of €140 celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and largely internationally. At Wise, we believe that moving and managing money should be simple, cost-effective and fast, no matter where in the world you are.

“With the cost of living increasing, individuals are more cognisant of their spending habits. As evident from our findings, people are prioritising socialising and travelling on a budget while finding the best deals. For those hosting visitors from abroad, a small but significant thing they can do is to always pay in euros and avoid those unwanted hidden transaction fees.”

Wise has more than 100,000 Irish customers, with thousands joining each month. Whether they’re booking plane tickets from their living room or sending digital cheers to loved ones abroad, Wise customers always see exactly how much they’re being charged, with no hidden fees and a service that is 7x cheaper than that offered by big banks. The Wise card, in particular, allows customers to spend in over 50 currencies, including Euros, pounds and dollars, at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees – such as the marked-up exchange rates and extra ATM charges you get hit with when using a typical bank card overseas.

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