Fáilte Ireland has welcomed the Lonely Planet's placing of Ireland in the world's top ten friendliest countries.
The guide book has published a list of ten countries where a welcome is always warm, to promote its 1,000 Ultimate Experiences guide.
The other nine friendliest countries are deemed to be the US, Malawi, Fiji, Thailand, Samoa, Vietnam, Indonesia, Scotland and Turkey.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said the finding concurred with new Fáilte Ireland research on visitor experiences.
He said its latest "Visitor Attitudes" survey now being finalised, showed that the Irish people were the most significant advantage that distinguished Ireland from other holiday destinations.
Nine out of ten holidaymakers said meeting "friendly, hospitable people" was an important factor in choosing Ireland as their holiday destination,
"Over the years, our research has constantly found that the warmth and friendliness of our people, along with our green landscapes and scenery, are the biggest draws for overseas visitors," Mr Quinn said.
"Despite some fears in recent years of a frostier 'fáilte', it is reassuring to see that we remain a friendly destination and renowned for our welcome."
