Research shows that the number of overseas internet surfers looking at Irish tourism websites has reached a record high.

Although the numbers of tourists actually visiting the Island has decreased, the level of interest is only getting bigger. Tourism chiefs hope that the trend in browsing will be reflected in an upward trend of visitors to Ireland.

The number of visitors to Tourism Ireland websites, and its sister sites, reached nearly 6 million in the first half of 2009. A good indication of actual travel plans being formulated is reflected in the numbers of tourists looking into hotel vacancies and Irish car hire prices.