International conferences hosted in Ireland over the first six months of the year are expected to have a €37m impact on the Irish economy, according to Fáilte Ireland.

Dublin hotel rooms had the second highest growth in revenue per available room in a survey of 19 European cities last year, according to PwC.

Brian Dillons 1-16 Ballinhassig 2-6

Hotel room prices in Dublin have risen by 7.8%, according to business advisory firm Deloitte.

Business tourism is worth more than €500m to the Irish economy every year, it has been claimed.

PLAYING the Old Head Links course recently in dry, sunny but chilly conditions I believe that any golfer has to enjoy its superbly manicured fairways and greens in addition to some great golf shots in superb and spectacular surroundings.

IRISH tourism welcomes another exhilarating chapter in Irish golf as the Irish Open returns to Killarney, bringing golf to the heart of Irish tourism — as it is in the hearts of all sports fans throughout the country.

LADIES Irish Open boss Roddy Carr avoided some Chinese torture to deliver a world class field at Killeen Castle next month.

CONFERENCES worth €232 million to the economy have been targeted by Fáilte Ireland — with conferences worth €36m already secured for 2011.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON has gifted Irish golf tourism the ultimate mulligan by agreeing to front Fáilte Ireland’s new €1.5m worldwide “marketing blitz” free of charge.

Around 2,000 biking fans are set to saddle up for the country’s first closed road cycle event, organisers announced today.

THE numbers of business visitors to Ireland increased by 10% last year, as 29,000 overseas delegates pumped €36 million into the Irish economy, according to Fáilte Ireland.