Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland in 2024?

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As with travel to any country these days, it's a good idea to be as prepared as possible. Here are 4 things to keep in mind as you plan your Ireland vacation this year.

1. Some Hotel Rooms May Not Be Available

Due to the migrant situation throughout Europe, Ireland like other countries on the continent has accepted thousands of refugees from Ukraine.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Irish government granted 70,493 temporary protection permissions to Ukrainian citizens in 2022.

Many of those refugees are currently being housed in hotels across the country. Please be aware of this as you begin searching for accommodation in Ireland.

If you are experiencing difficulty, I suggest that you reach out to the hotels that you are most interested in to see if there is any availability.

2. Check Attractions Online Before Leaving Home

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Since Covid-19 upended the travel industry worldwide, the current guidebook that you may have may not be completely accurate. I suggest getting the latest Lonely Planet guide so you are up-to-date on what's available in Ireland.

Many travel companies, including attractions, have sadly gone out of business because they just couldn’t survive the downturn.

Since the larger travel companies will have been able to survive the downturn, there are many small tourist enterprises throughout Ireland that will need your support.

Some of those include independent tour guides, chauffeur services, smaller hotels and B&Bs, food trucks, restaurants, walking/hiking guides, and others.

There’s nothing better than walking down a street and seeing restaurants and shops brimming with people.

So, when you do visit Ireland, don’t forget the smaller enterprises that have struggled over the past three years. Thankfully, the tourist industry is booming in Ireland in 2023 due to an influx of visitors, and I hope that continues.

3. Make Flexible Booking Arrangements and Keep an Eye on Deals

Most airlines and hotels have updated their change and cancellation policies since the onset of Covid-19 in 2020, which is good to know when booking airfares or accommodation in Ireland.

When making a new booking, make sure that the flexible cancellation policy of the airline you are taking is still in place.

It is wise to keep an eye on special airfare deals or vacation packages that might be cheaper at different times of the year.

Put an app like Hopper or Google Flights on your mobile phone and monitor the deals from there. If you want to save $25 on a hotel stay that you book with Hopper, be sure to use this special Ireland on a Budget referral code.

Find Accommodation on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

4. Be an Ethical Tourist

It shouldn’t take a pandemic to make people aware of ethical travel, but it’s a good reminder as we make attempts to resume normal travel again.

Minimizing the negative impact of travel on communities and their environments just makes sense, so as you visit places in Ireland and indeed anywhere else in your country or around the world, it’s important to do the right thing.

Some of the ways you can do this include supporting local businesses, as mentioned above, dining in restaurants that offer organic menus (if they seem expensive, opt for their early bird specials), leaving no trace behind in forested areas and anywhere else for that matter, and being respectful of the local wildlife.

Read More: 5 Sustainable Experiences in Ireland to Enjoy

In areas that are especially popular, like the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, the Giant's Causeway in Antrim, the Loop Head Peninsula, also in County Clare, the Cavan Burren, and a variety of important heritage sites across Ireland that generally see large amounts of tourists, it’s important that everyone does their part to keep these places pristine for future tourists.

Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland in 2023? Let me know in the comments below.