Overseas visitors travelling to Ireland increased 12 per cent for the first five months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to new CSO figures.
Minister for Tourism Paschal Donohoe said it looked set to be a "record year" for Irish tourism.
“As we enter the peak months of the tourism season, it is very encouraging that the growth trend shows no sign of abating,” he said.
The figures published on Wednesday showed more than 3 million people had visited Ireland from overseas from January to May this year.
Mr Donohoe said it was the fifth consecutive year of increasing visitor numbers.
The record year for Irish tourism was in 2007 with 7.7 million visitors.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said the growth this year had been from across the world.
However, he said there had been an "exceptional performance" in tourism from North America with an increase of 13.6 per cent.
“Today’s figures indicate that this was the best ever January to May period for overseas visitors to Ireland,” he said.
The numbers showed visitors from mainland Europe had risen 14 per cent.
Mr Gibbons said Italy, Spain, Germany, France and Benelux in particular had all recorded " fantastic growth".
Britain remains Ireland’s largest market for overseas tourism and grew 10 per cent.
Tourism from the rest of the world increased 13 per cent.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn also said the figures were very "strong" for the tourism sector and agreed a record year looked likely.
“Business is very good . . . tourism businesses around the country are certainly upbeat with most of them telling us in Fáilte Ireland that they expect their business to grow this year,” he said.
Initiatives
Mr Quinn said initiatives such as Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, rebranding of Dublin, and innovation in digital and social-media marketing were all important to sustain the growth long term.
Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring said the 9 per cent VAT rate, reduced air-travel tax and visa measures had contributed towards the development of the tourism sector.
The Irish Hotels Federation chief executive Tim Fenn said the increase in visitors was very important to the 205,000 jobs supported by the tourism sector.
“With the summer season under way, the outlook for the industry is very positive, contributing to increased optimism across the hotel and guesthouse sector,” he said.
Mr Fenn said hotels and guesthouses have also reported an increase in business from the domestic market with more Irish people taking holidays and short breaks at home.
