There was an increase of 5 per cent in the number of worldwide tourists visiting Ireland in the first half of this year, Tourism Ireland said yesterday.
The number of British visitors travelling to Northern Ireland increased by 17 per cent during the same period.
Tourism Ireland, which markets both Northern Ireland and the Republic, expects that the island will have welcomed about 7.4 million overseas visitors by the end of the year.
"We're delighted at the increase of visitors from Britain into the whole of Ireland," said Tourism Ireland's Mr John Greene.
The figures were released on the first day of the World Travel Market in London.
The fair is expected to attract about 50,000 visitors, exhibitors and media personnel from more than 180 countries.
Exhibitors from Ireland include the Best Western Hotel group, the K Club and tourism interests from the Shannon region.
They are exhibiting alongside tourism groups from countries such as the US and Australia, but also from more marginalised states, such as Serbia and Romania.
The increase in visitor numbers to Ireland were described as "very encouraging" by Ms Cecilia Keaveney, chairwoman of the Dáil committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
"This turnaround in tourism figures on the previous year will come as a welcome relief to those who work in the sector, especially given the downturn after the September 11th attacks in the US," she said.
"Tourism is vital to the economic well-being of this country, providing jobs and economic growth throughout country. The industry also plays an important role in the development of peripheral regions around the country."
However, Ms Keaveney warned against complacency and said people must continue to develop and grow the industry.
At the World Travel Market, Irish tourism interests were promoting "Rejoyce Dublin" a summer-long event which will mark the 100th anniversary of the journey through Dublin portrayed in James Joyce's Ulysses.
While Bloomsday is always marked by Joyce fans, next year's festivities will begin in April and continue throughout the summer.
Additional reporting: PA
