Most tourism businesses expected this summer's trade to be up on last year with hotels being particularly bullish about the season, a Fáilte Ireland survey has found.
The tourism barometer survey carried out last month found that hotel operators were expecting high levels of business from Irish customers while hostels and caravan and camping providers were also expecting increased business.
However, B&B and self catering operators were not as optimistic about the season, particularly in rural areas.
According to Fáilte Ireland, golf providers have already reported an increase in business in the first three months of this year. Equestrian centre owners were also optimistic that they would be particularly busy in July and August.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said the early signals coming from the industry were encouraging and it was hoped that the recovery in activities such as golf and walking would continue.
The survey was released on the first day of Meitheal - a tourism fair organised by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in Dublin's RDS.
