Vol. 518 No. 3
74 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach the EU member state which had the largest number of tourists visiting here in 1999; the estimated total spend of such tourists in terms of per capita spend; the category of tourist who was the biggest spender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11416/00]
Details are published quarterly relating to the number of overseas visits to Ireland by area of residence. The latest year for which final figures are available is 1998. Quarterly tourism results have been published for the first three quarters of 1999 and final results for the year are expected to be published in May.
Persons usually resident in Great Britain, that is, excluding Northern Ireland, comprised the largest number, 3,383.000, of overseas visits to Ireland in 1998. The estimated total expenditure on these visits was £732 million, which amounts to about £216 per visit.
In 1998, overseas visits to Ireland were classified by "reason for journey" into business; tourist; visits to friends and relatives; and other. This categorisation was changed in 1999. The "tourist" category of visits had the largest expenditure.
