The number of overseas visitors to this State increased by 6.4 per cent in the first three months of the year when compared with the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Some 1,478,300 overseas visits were recorded between January and March, with more than half of those coming from Britain. However, the number of trips by British residents decreased by 6,800 in March while visitors from other European countries and the US increased.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue said last year had been a record year for Irish tourism and these latest figures showed that the upward curve would continue this year.
"I am particularly pleased to see that the number of visitors from north America is up by over 4 per cent on the corresponding period last year. This is despite concerns expressed by the industry relating to the relative weakness of the US dollar."
He said there had been some "softness" in the British market but visitor numbers from the rest of Europe had increased by 33 per cent. Other long-haul destinations were up by 14 per cent for the first three months of the year.
Mr O'Donoghue said Tourism Ireland had begun its biggest marketing campaign in Britain last month and he believed it would deliver strong returns in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, the number of Irish trips overseas also increased in the first three months of the year, with more than 1.57 million trips made.
