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Tourism Northern Ireland has welcomed an increase in both the number of trips and money spent in the North by visitors from the Republic.
CSO data shows that the number of overnight trips to the North from the Republic rose 13 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, while residents of the Republic spent an average of £33 (€37.50) more per night than in the same period in 2016.
This was in part due to more visitors staying in commercial accommodation across the North.
“Value for money is a key motivator for Republic of Ireland residents and the favourable exchange rates have helped to entice more visitors from this key market and encouraged them to spend more,” said Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen.
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In recent years, Titanic Belfast has combined with ancient attractions such as the Giants Causeway to lure more visitors to the North, while the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open should attract golf fans when it takes place in Portstewart in July.