Fáilte Ireland's Annual Tourism Review has predicted that Irish tourism will grow by 6% during 2016.
It estimates that this increase would generate €8bn in additional revenues and lead to the creation of new jobs in the sector.
Last year the industry was worth €7.8bn to the Irish economy and added €1.8bn to the Exchequer as 7.3 million foreign visitors came to Ireland, that was a significant 11% increase over the previous year.
However, the agency has warned that Ireland needs to remain competitive to compete with other destinations - it has also raised concerns about a shortage of hotel rooms in Dublin.
Ireland's Skellig Michael is expected to draw new visitors to the country after receiving prominent screen time in Star Wars: The Force Awakens - which has become the most successful film of all time with global box office takings passing the previous record set by James Cameron's Avatar.
Fáilte Ireland hopes that fans will come to the country to see the island and to explore in the Wild Atlantic Way.
According to Fáilte Ireland’s report on visitors motivations to come to Ireland 7% said that they were influenced by portrayals of the island in films.
