Total number of trips to Ireland by overseas visitors went up by 2.7% last month

Last month, the total number of trips to Ireland by overseas visitors went up by 2.7% to 590,700, marking an increase of 15,400 compared to the same period last year.The biggest increase came from outside of Europe or North America, growing by 22.6% to 258,100 in February. Trips by the US and Canadian visitors increased by 9% to 86,800 the same month.Trips by British visitors fell by 2.0% to 258,100; however, those made by residents of other European countries increased by 3.4% to 208,900.The overall increase was welcomed by Tourism Ireland. “Overseas arrivals increased by 7% in the first two months of 2019,” said its CEO Niall Gibbons.