According to the Irish Tourist Confederation, Ireland witnessed a bumper tourism year in 2007 wherein 8 million foreign tourists gave the country €4 billion in revenue. However, the forecast for 2008 is not so rosy, the growth will continue albeit at a modest pace courtesy the rise in oil prices and a weak dollar.
Visit durations are also becoming increasingly short which affects the amounts spent by tourists. ITIC has hopes that the Open Skies agreement will help tourism in the New Year.