Visits to Ireland from the Nordic Region increased by 29 % in the first quarter of 2011. 32,000 Nordic tourists visited Ireland between January and March this year. The total number of trips to Ireland in Q1 was 1,177,600, an overall increase of 8.6%, compared to the same period in 2010.

Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons welcomes this positive news.

"The figures issued today are well ahead of expectations, showing a strong turn-around and a welcome return to growth from Great Britain, as well as from North America, France, Germany, Spain, the Nordic Region and from Australia and developing markets," he said.

 “This has been an excellent month for tourism to Ireland with the announcement by the Government of a package of measures to stimulate the tourism sector and then culminating in the two historic visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama.”

Overseas tourism has a critical role to play in contributing to Ireland’s economic recovery.  Overseas tourism business...