More tourists visiting Ireland

Overseas trips by Irish people increased by 13% to 764,000 in June, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said today.

However, visits by foreign tourists to the country only rose by 3% to 750,000 in the same month.

While overall visitor numbers from Britain were down 2.9% for the first six months of the year, figures in June showed an increase of 3,200.

Minister for Tourism Seamus Brennan said he was satisfied with the figures despite the challenges of global economic anxiety and poor weather.

He said the number of overseas visitors to Ireland has increased by more than 3% for the first half of the year compared to the corresponding period in 2006.

“Last year broke all records in terms of overseas visitor numbers and associated revenue and it was always going to be challenging to maintain this upward momentum,” he said.

“I am delighted the figures published today show that we have been successful in this regard”.

Visitors from mainland Europe for the first six months of the year are up by almost 15% compared to 2006.

“The mainland European market is putting in a strong performance. This market is of rapidly growing importance for Irish tourism and associated tourism revenue from this source is now on par with that from Great Britain.”

Mr Brennan said UK visitors were hit by high interest rates, less disposable income and severe weather conditions.

“It remains to be seen whether the severe weather in Great Britain during July and August will impact on the numbers coming to Ireland during these months,” he added.

Today’s data shows that Ireland is “holding its own” in the international tourism market, the minister said.