The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the first half of 2018 saw growth of +6.7% in overseas visitors to Ireland – 307,000 more arrivals than the record first half of 2017.

At today’s mid-year review of overseas tourism, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons, confirmed that this growth has come from all of our main market areas around the world (Britain, North America, Mainland Europe, Australia and Emerging Markets)

Speaking at the mid-year review of overseas tourism, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said, "I am very encouraged by the overseas visitor figures for the first half of 2018. Following the strong growth in recent years, it was always going to be a challenge to grow the numbers further this year and so the growth of +6.7% in visitor numbers in the first half of the year, when compared to the same period in 2017, is welcome. The tourism sector continues to prosper and, in doing so, it benefits the wider economy in terms of revenue and jobs. The sector now sustains approximately 240,000 jobs in communities around the country."

He added, "It is essential that we sustain this growth from as wide a range of markets as possible in the face of challenges such as Brexit, oil prices and other international economic uncertainties. There is no doubt that competitiveness and value for money are vital to sustaining growth in the industry in the next few years."

Source: www.businessworld.ie