Almost half of all journeys abroad by Irish people in 1994 where for holiday purposes, according to Telecom Eireann which yesterday launched its new Ireland Direct prepaid calling card, which can be used in some 20 countries.
They include the top five holiday destinations for Ireland's 1.9 million holiday makers - France, Germany, Spain, Britain and the US. Telecom found that 50 per cent of all holiday trips were to Britain, while Spain dominated the sun holiday market and accounted for 16 per cent of all trips.
The number of trips increased by 19 per cent in 1994 to 1.2 million compared to 1.03 million the previous year.