Vol. 488 No. 7
38 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the expected number and categories of tourists to the country in 1998 compared with the 1997 figures in view of the investment in tourism; the expected numbers from the United Kingdom, the continent and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7251/98]
Preliminary estimates for 1997 from the Central Statistics Office indicate that the number of tourists visiting the country last year exceeded five million, with numbers from Britain passing the three million mark for the first time. Numbers from mainland Europe are estimated to have reached 1.2 million and those from North America are estimated at just under 800,000.
In 1998 Bord Fáilte is targeting for an increase in the overall number of tourists of 8 per cent to 5.4 million, with Britain to increase by 10 per cent, North America by 7 per cent and mainland Europe by 3 per cent.
