The number of tourists coming to Ireland has increased by 7% in the first 3 months of the year compared to the same period last year.

1.2 million overseas visitors came here in the first quarter of the year.

The figures also show the tourists are spending more with earnings from overseas travellers up by 10% to €688 million.

Great Britain remains the biggest Irish market, with around half of visitors to Ireland coming from here. Meanwhile the US and Canada are the next biggest market.

While tourists from France have also seen an increase this year.

The number of trips made by Irish people overseas decreased by 2.1% to just over 1.2 million. But the amount that we are spending when we do go abroad actually rose by 0.9% to €828 million in the 1st quarter.

Director of Communications with Fáilte Ireland is Alex Connolly. He says while the first quarter is not traditionally peak season the figures bode well for 2013.