Predicted rise in visitors set to create tourism jobs

Tourism chiefs forecast a big increase in visitor numbers in 2015, after strong growth over the past year saw 5,000 jobs created in the sector.

Overseas tourist numbers jumped by 9% in 2014 to 7.3m, the highest since 2008. Those tourists spent just over €3.5bn in the country, also a 9% increase or almost €300m more than the previous year.

Ironically, the boost may partly be due to the many people leaving the country through emigration, as the numbers who categorised their trip as a visit to family and friends rather than a straightforward holiday grew by 14%.