For the first time in over 10 years Wexford is leading the South East region with the highest number of overseas visitor numbers and overseas visitor spend.

New Failte Ireland research results shows Wexford leading the region with 229,000 overseas visitors in 2012, the highest figure for a south-east county, followed by Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary South and Carlow.

In terms of tourism value the south-east region earned €232 million in revenue in 2012.

€65 million of this was revenue to Co. Wexford represented an increase of over 50% from the €40 million of tourism revenue in Wexford in 2011.

In terms of the domestic tourism economy the revenue from this market is worth €271 million to the regional economy of the south-east with most visitors travelling between July and September.