The State saw an 8 per cent increase in overseas visits to Ireland during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of last year.
According to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today 1,390,000 overseas visits were made during the first three months of 2006. Visits by residents of European countries rose by 16 per cent and visits by residents of Great Britain grew by 7 per cent on the first quarter of 2005.
However, the number of visits by residents of the USA and Canada dropped by 3 per cent during the same period.
The number of Irish visits abroad between January and March 2006 was 1,346,000, an increase of 11 per cent over 2005 figures. However, Irish visitors abroad are spending less time during their stay with the average length of time decreasing from 7.6 nights to 7.2 nights.
Finally, the figures also revealed that overseas visitors spent 7 per cent less bed nights in rented houses and apartments. Bednights spent in guest houses and B&Bs rose 4 per cent over the same period.