Tourism Ireland welcome Q3's encouraging figures

Positive tourism figures for the third quarter of 2003 have been welcomed by Tourism Ireland on the eve of launching details of their 2004 overseas marketing plans to the industry.

Visitor figures were up almost 7% from July to September this year with strong growth from the continent - particularly France and Italy - underpinning this.

Britain remains the largest source market to the Republic while North American traffic - up 6% - shows continuous signs of recovery.

Commenting, Paul O'Toole, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland said: "The overall growth of 4.8% in the first nine months of the year which traditionally represents 80% of the year is very welcome news.

"I am particularly pleased to see the strong growth in numbers from mainland Europe and North America and I am hopeful that we will end the year with a strong last quarter.

Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue also welcomed the figures and predicted that Ireland's presidency of the European Union in 2004 will highlight Ireland's profile as a tourist destination.