Ireland tops 'Best Destination' poll

Ireland has been named "Best Tourism Destination" by Global Traveller magazine.

Up to 28,000 business and luxury travel readers named Ireland as their favourite holiday destination overall.

It is the latest in a string of accolades after Fodors Guides named "The Gathering" a must-see festival for next year.

Increasing the number of American visitors is a key goal for Tourism Ireland, which welcomed the news.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Vice President of Marketing in the US, said: "We are delighted that Ireland has been singled out for this accolade by the readers of Global Traveler.

"Tourism Ireland has had a very busy programme of promotional activity right throughout 2012, to build awareness of the island of Ireland as a premier vacation destination among American consumers.

"It is really important to make the island of Ireland stand out from other destinations - so this award is good news indeed, particularly as we prepare to kick off our extensive 2013 promotional drive."