Trevor Sargent
Ceist:17 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of visitors who came to Ireland on cycling and golfing holidays over the past ten years. [6050/97]
Written Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
Bord Fáilte Éireann, who carry out surveys on such matters, estimate that the number of holidaymakers playing golf while in Ireland has increased by 130 per cent from 77,000 in 1987 to 177,000 last year. The numbers for whom golf in Ireland determined their choice of holiday destination increased from 13,000, to 106,000 over the same period.
The board also estimate that the number of holidaymakers engaging in cycling has almost doubled over the past ten years from 83,000 in 1987 to 153,000 in 1996. The number for whom cycling in Ireland was a key determinant of their choice of holiday destination has increased from 6,000 to 59,000 over the decade.