Ireland sees record tourist numbers in 2016, British market a challenge
DUBLIN - Ireland posted record tourist numbers in 2016 thanks to surge in U.S. visitors, but tourism officials cautioned Britain's weaker sterling currency might herald challenges ahead in its biggest market.
Tourist arrivals from the United States increased 20 percent last year and those from Britain were up 10 percent. That pushed total arrivals to 9.5 million, 10 percent higher than the previous record in 2015, the Central Statistics Office said.
"While 2016 delivered an impressive performance... the British market is set to be challenging in the near future, particularly given the weakening of Sterling," said Paul Keeley, Director of Business Development with Ireland's national tourism development authority Failte Ireland.
