The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has claimed the “major flaw” in the budget was the decision to forgo €620m in taxes through the continued 9% Vat subsidy to the tourism and hospitality sector.

Optimism about tourism is its highest in a decade and the number of overseas visitors to Ireland has grown this year.

Irish people took almost 2m domestic holiday breaks in the first quarter of the year — up almost 20% on the same period in 2015.

The number of people visiting Ireland for a holiday jumped by almost 30% in the first three months of this year compared to record high figures in 2015.

Fáilte Ireland is to invest €65m in enhancing its main destination brands — the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Dublin: A breath of fresh air; and Ireland’s Lakelands — over the next four years as part of a bid to grow overseas visitor numbers.

Tourism is booming, no doubt helped by St Patrick’s Day and the 1916 centenary celebrations.

Tourism chiefs have hailed an exceptional start to the year for the industry — but warned of the unravelling of competitiveness as the euro strengthens against sterling.

Tourists' satisfaction with Ireland is increasing year on year, according to Fáilte Ireland.

The number of tourists visiting Ireland jumped by almost 18% to 2m in the last three months of last year compared to the same period in 2014.

The number of overseas visitors to Ireland rose by 13.5% this summer compared to the same period last year, according to the CSO.

Confidence in the tourism sector has reached its highest level since the economic downturn, with most service providers stating 2015 is likely to be their best year for business in the past decade.

The tourism industry has broadly welcomed the retention of the 9% Vat rate for the sector — but has been warned that rising hotel prices in Dublin meant the case for maintaining it is “diminishing”.

A new phase of the Wild Atlantic Way has been launched – with photo-friendly marker points, interpretation panels and 188 new designated “discovery points” .

Spending by tourists visiting Ireland has increased by more than a third in the first half of the year compared to 2014.

The Guinness Storehouse, the Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin Zoo had more than 1m visitors each last year as some of the country’s top attractions showed rising interest.

Global travel trends on the rise and Irish tourism has a spring in its step again, says Fáilte Ireland

John Daly finds stand-up paddling and pilgrim paths on the radar for intrepid visitors

Almost all restaurants and hotels expect the same or increased tourist numbers next year — with the creation of around 8,000 jobs.

The tourism industry has broadly welcomed the retention of the 9% Vat rate for the sector — but has been warned to pass on savings to customers.

Fáilte Ireland and the Restaurants Association of Ireland have said that the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector will help to maintain the sector's current level of employment growth.

Ireland has proven to be a major hit, with some of the biggest adventure travel specialists in the world heaping praise on the country. 

Ireland’s growing adventure market will receive a significant boost as 700 of the world’s top adventure specialists arrive here for a global summit.

Tourists are flocking to Ireland to see sights such as the Wild Atlantic Way, as the sector reports its most positive year since the Celtic Tiger.

Ireland continues to go from strength to strength as a tourist hotspot as new figures show the number of visitors here grew by more than 10% in the first six months of the year.

Dublin had 15 of the country’s top 20 free and fee-charging tourist attractions by visitor number last year, according to figures from Fáilte Ireland.

A 7.3% increase in the number of tourists was recorded in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year.

More than half of tourists will definitely make return visits to Ireland.

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring has announced just over €1.3m in funding for 29 festivals and events this year.

It might attract more than half of all foreign visitors to Ireland each year but Dublin is “under-performing” as a tourist destination.

A 12-room boutique hotel in Dingle has been named the best bargain hotel in the world.

Fáilte Ireland has reported record levels of optimism within the tourism industry despite fears of limited or no growth in the British and domestic markets in 2014.

In the year that Ireland finally exited the bailout, John Daly looks back at some of the big news stories from the business world in 2013.

Business sentiment in the tourism sector has returned to highs not seen since the Celtic Tiger was roaring.

After the best summer weather for a decade, the tourism industry enjoyed a much-needed boost as significant numbers of holidaymakers opted to ‘staycation’ this year.

The tourism sector risks failing to maximise its recent recovery unless it develops innovative, new approaches to entice visitors.

Tourism from the US has become the embattled industry’s billion-dollar baby as record numbers of American visitors make Ireland their priority destination.

THE five-day Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, which opens in Ballsbridge on Wednesday combines world-class jumping, as well as glitz, glamour, shopping and pageantry on a large scale.

More than six out of 10 people who visited here last year would recommend Ireland as a holiday destination.

Tourism figures have rebounded strongly in recent months, with the Government putting growth down to the success of its Gathering initiative.

Ireland has reversed its “rip-off republic” image and is now giving tourists the best value-for-money rates in over a decade.

A giant Irish-knit jumper and the world’s biggest raggy doll were among the spectacular sights and sounds at the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.