Tourist numbers set to record high following Ryder Cup

The numbers of overseas visitors to Ireland are set to reach record levels this year, boosted by the success of the Ryder Cup this autumn.

It is believed that the Co Kildare event will be a major factor in contributing to a total of 8.5 million visitors in 2006. The forecast was given today at World Travel Market (WTM), which opened in London today.

Last year, foreign tourists totalled 8.1 million, a 5% increase on the 2004 figure.

These overseas visitors spent €4bn in Ireland last year - an increase of 8.4% on the 2004 spending figure.

Tourism Ireland said that visitor figures to the country had increased 11% in the first six months of this year compared with the January-June 2005 total.

At WTM it was announced today that the number of overseas visitors to Germany increased 33% in June and July this year as a direct result of the country's hosting of football's World Cup.