The number of visitors to the Republic during the first half of 1999 increased by 10 per cent compared with the same period last year, the Minister for Tourism, Dr McDaid, said yesterday.
Tourists from North America, Britain and Europe helped bring the total number of visitors to 2.7 million for the period.
Visitors from Scandinavia and Switzerland increased due to interest in Irish cultural events, according to the tourist office. Bord Failte targets the Nordic markets with the theme "Ireland of the Arts ".
As figures for January to June usually account for only 42 per cent of overseas traffic, Bord Failte's target of 7 per cent growth for the entire year is likely to be met.