The number of visitors coming to the Republic rose by 10 per cent to 4.5 million in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period in 1997, according to figures released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office.
Tourist revenue for the first six months rose by 9 per cent to £938 million. In the nine months to September, the latest figures available, there were 2.6 million visitors from Britain, 13 per cent more than last year.
Welcoming the figures, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, said that "Ireland continues to attract a growing number of British tourists and the positive effects of the peace process will have a particular impact on this market".
There were also almost 700,000 visitors from the US and Canada, an increase of 9.5 per cent on the first nine months of 1997. Figures for July to September showed there were 2,120,000 visitors, almost 10 per cent up on summer last year, while 1,096,000 Irish citizens went abroad.
Irish holidaymakers spent £453 million abroad. Visitors spent £606 million.
