The number of overseas visitors coming to Ireland has jumped by more than 70,000 in 12 months, according to Central Statistic Office (CSO) figures.
In November 2007 there were 569,300 overseas trips to Ireland, compared with 497,500 in November 2006, an increase of 71,800. Trips to Ireland by residents of Britain increased by 36,600 and there was an increase of 33,300 in the number of trips to Ireland by residents of other European countries. Trips to Ireland by residents of North America increased by 3,800, while trips from other areas fell by 1,800.
British travellers accounted for 53 per cent of all overseas trips to Ireland, followed by residents of USA at 10 per cent.
There were 509,700 trips by Irish residents to other countries in November 2007 compared with 488,500 in November 2006, an increase of 21,200.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Seamus Brennan welcomed the increase.
"Yet again, the data shows that overseas visitors continue to come to our shores in record numbers", he said the Minister.
"It has been our policy for some time to try to extend the tourism season and while November would traditionally be one of the quieter months for overseas visitors, we still welcomed almost 600,000 visitors", he added.