The most popular specialist activity in Irish tourism is golf. About 106,000 visitors played golf this year and spent £49 million, according to a detailed breakdown of markets and products released yesterday by Bord Failte. Angling is the second most important activity, with 97,000 visitors spending £39 million.
The outlook for 1998 shows that Britain will remain Ireland's strongest market. The most disappointing is Germany, where Bord Failte is forecasting no growth. France is forecast to grow by 4 per cent, but Bord Failte says the pricing policy of Dublin hotels is reducing the number of French supporters travelling for rugby internationals. A big drive will be made to exploit the publicity potential of hosting next year's opening stages of the Tour de France.
Visitors from North America will grow by 7 per cent next year, Bord Failte says. Ireland is now "fashionable" in the US and the airlines are responding. Aer Lingus is introducing an all-year-round service on its new Dublin-Newark route. Continental Airlines, one of the largest US carriers, is flying on the same route next year.
Bord Failte warns, however, that competitors like Scotland are increasingly active in the US market and air access to the UK from North America is very much superior.
Another success story this year has been the so-called long-haul markets. For the first time, more than 100,000 visitors arrived from Australia and New Zealand. Bord Failte says there is more potential to be tapped from markets like South Africa and Japan.