- Minister Leo Varadkar.
Ireland has long relied on tourism to bring in the coin when the economy is bad, and now it was revealed that the numbers visiting the island are, thankfully, on the up.
A survey by Fáilte Ireland has revealed that over half of all tourism businesses have seen a rise in profit this year, and the 54 percent total is a stark increase from the result in 2008, the year the economy began its downturn, when just eight percent of businesses said they were busy.
Three out of five tourist businesses have also said they expect an overall profit increase in 2012. The good news has been compounded by a poll carried out on behalf of Fáilte Ireland in which holidaymakers were quizzed as they left Ireland.
On a score of one to 10, 67 percent of first-time visitors graded the Emerald Isle either nine or ten out of ten.
Irish minister for tourism. Leo Varadkar, spoke of the optimistic findings at the country's largest Tourism trade fair, Meitheal 2012, held last week in Dublin.
"These indications are certainly encouraging and suggest that the tourism sector is growing more optimistic about its future prospects," Mr. Varadkar said.
"However, as tourism operators know too well, we have a long way to go to recover the heyday of four years ago. As planning for next year begins at our Meitheal tourism trade fair, I am very encouraged to see that three out of five tourists are very satisfied with their experience of Ireland."
Meanwhile, Ireland is also becoming a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, with 40 accommodation sites, including B&Bs and hotels, bring members of the gay travel group, Purple Roofs.
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association has valued Ireland's gay tourist industry at $400 million, and the Tourism Ireland body has stated that it is actively targeting gay travelers from overseas.
