Visitor numbers show first rise since 2007

Visitor numbers to Ireland increased last year for the first time since 2007.

Figures just released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show an 8% increase in overseas visitors last year compared to 2010.

Welcoming the increase, Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar said the growth was slightly more than predicted: “While the return to growth in 2011 was welcome we still have to fight hard for Ireland’s share of global tourism spending,” he said.