Riverdance was the big winner last night in the third annual Dublin Tourism Business Awards, which honour the groups most responsible for enticing international tourists to visit the city.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, said the popularity of the international dance production was one of the main reasons why the number of tourists who visited Dublin in 1999 increased by 8 per cent to 4.4 million. Those tourists spent more than £707 million while here, up 12 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Frank Magee, chief executive of Dublin Tourism, said Riverdance had created unprecedented international publicity for Dublin and the city was still feeling the ripple effect.

Other businesses honoured were Ryanair, the O'Callaghan Hotel Group, Delaney Marketing, Viking Splash Tours, Wild Coach Tours and Taylor's Three Rock.