Northern Ireland had its best ever year for attracting international visitors in 2000.

However, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said the boom was offset by a drop in tourists from Britain and the Irish Republic.

Overall tourism performance was similar to that achieved in 1999 with total trips reaching 1,672,000 - up just 17,000.

It said the revenue earned through tourism remained the same at �265m.

However, the number of European holidaymakers was up 37%, those from North America, Australia and New Zealand increased by 20%, and there was a rise of 32% in visitors from other parts of the world.

'Strong pound'

The board said that the high value of sterling caused a drop in visitors from across the border and across the Irish Sea.

It said the exchange rate differences between sterling and the Irish pound made a trip north more expensive for southerners and a holiday in the Irish Republic more attractive to British visitors.

Nevertheless, Tourist Board chairman Roy Bailie said he was encouraged by the "very positive growth in international visitors".

"Our message that Northern Ireland is a must-see part of a trip to Ireland is clearly working in the long-haul and European markets and tour operators are responding to customers' demands to include Northern Ireland," he said.

However, he added: "The continued impact of the unfavourable exchange rates and the legacy of negative publicity surrounding the parades dispute has, however, curtailed growth overall."

'Potential'

He said if the province's tourist industry was to fully realise its potential, there was a need for sustained and long-term growth, rather than relying on some markets to make up for the losses of others.

The board also revealed there had been a drop in the number of business travellers staying in Northern Ireland.

But, it said, this was not because there were fewer business visitors, but that better and extended air and sea access to the province had enabled some to forgo an overnight stay.