Overseas visits to Ireland increased by 17 per cent from April to June this year compared with the same period last year, with more visitors coming from European countries.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that there were 2,112,000 overseas visits in the three-month period, compared with 1,803,000 in the same period of 2005.
In the first six months of this year, there were 3.5 million overseas visits in total. Most visits in the April to June period were for holiday, leisure and recreation, at 1,145,000. However, the number of visitors from abroad who were in the State visiting friends or relatives increased by 24 per cent to 566,000. Business visits remained about the same at 251, 000.
Visits by British residents grew by 14 per cent and more stayed with relatives or friends than in hotels and other accommodation. This also applied to visitors from other European countries, who made 26 per cent more visits to Ireland.
The number of visits by US and Canadian residents grew by 15 per cent, with most staying in hotels. Bed nights spent in guest houses and B&Bs by visitors to Ireland rose by 14 per cent. Visits from Ireland to other destinations abroad in the three-month period numbered 1,826,000, an increase of 12 per cent on the corresponding period in 2005.
Earnings from visits to Ireland amounted to €1,230 million, a 9.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2005. Irish visitors abroad spent more, at €1,311 million, compared to the same period last year, showing a net outflow of €81 million.
Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue yesterday welcomed the figures. "We set the very ambitious targets of increasing overseas visitor numbers and associated revenues of 4.9 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively for 2006. Today's figures show that we are well on target to achieve these results," he said.
The Minister added that the North American market remained critical for the tourism industry because visitors from this area traditionally spent more, stayed longer and travelled more widely than the average.
Tourism Ireland had completed a detailed review of this market and he hoped to launch the results of this and the associated renewed strategy to greater develop the potential of the key US market in the very near future, he said.
"It is most encouraging to see these positive results, particularly coming in the week before the Ryder Cup, which affords us a unique opportunity to further showcase our country. During the Ryder Cup, the eyes of the world will be upon us. We will have an unprecedented opportunity to promote Ireland as a compelling tourism destination.
"Everybody has a role to play and I would appeal to all sectors of the community to play their part in providing the warmest Irish welcome to all our visitors," the Minister said.