Ireland has a “global appeal” for tourists, according to a leading travel guide publisher.

On Lunchtime Live this week, Lonely Planet Vice President Tom Hall said the company’s Irish guidebook was one of its top ten best-selling guide titles last year.

Other guides to make the list include New York, Thailand, Japan and Iceland.

Mr Hall said there are many things that “make Ireland fantastic guidebook territory”.

“We hear from travellers all over the world and we know there is a huge emotional aspiration to visit Ireland,” he said.

“People imagine themselves having these classic experiences, being in a cosy pub with live music and they’re wondering how it works.

“They might want to drive up the Wild Atlantic Way too and need practical advice to do that.”

The Dingle Peninsula located along the Wild Atlantic Way. Image: Trish Punch/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire.

Contributors to Lonely Planet’s guide for Ireland are located all across the island, according to Mr Hall, who said they take pride in recommending things to do that are “off the beaten track”.

“We got the Mourne Mountains, we have recommendations for Waterford and some suggestions on how to explore Connemara a bit more,” he said.

“These things might be very familiar to Irish people but to international travellers, it may not be so familiar.

“We do talk about the popular attractions too - who is going to come to Ireland and not want to see the incredible Book of Kells, for example.”

The library at Trinity College where the Book of Kells is held. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Mr Hall said Ireland is a “relatively common” mainstay in their list of bestselling guidebooks.

“We know how popular Ireland is all over the world, we know it has this global appeal,” he said.

“Our key market is Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand as well – most people who are coming to Europe are going to want to include Ireland on an itinerary for a longer trip.

“There has been a bit of movement in terms of the most popular destinations since before the pandemic and after it but we’re not surprised to see Ireland in there.

“The aspiration to visit Ireland is timeless.”

Lonely Planet have been creating Irish travel guidebooks for 30 years now.

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Main image: Temple Bar in Dublin. Image: Richard Green / Alamy Stock Photo