According to figures released by Tourism Ireland, overseas visitors are expected to reach over nine million in 2008.
Ireland emerged as an increasingly popular tourist destination, with preliminary results for 2007 visits showing around 400,000 more tourists visited in 2007 compared to the previous year.
The popularity of Ireland as a holiday destination has been marked with two attractions scooping a pair of 2007 Interpret Britain and Ireland awards.
Judges selected the Atlantic Edge Exhibition in County Clare and the Foynes Flying Boat Museum in County Limerick, which were described as "magnificent" and "fascinating".
Katherine Webster, director of the Atlantic Edge Exhibition, said: "It goes to show that the Shannon Region is leading the world in the quality of the experience that visitors will find here."
In 2006, the average a visitor spends in Ireland stood at £340, making it a cheap destination as well as a highly esteemed one.
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