Record €6bn spent on holidays abroad by Irish in 2007

HOLIDAY spending last year smashed the €6 billion barrier after Irish holiday-makers and travellers jetted off on a record 7.7 million overseas trips in 2007.

The fastest growing destination for Irish holiday-makers and others heading overseas was continental Europe last year, according to new figures.

In 2007 the number of visits by people heading to mainland Europe was 4,580,000, up 716,000 or 18.5% on the year before.