The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has predicted that the number of visitors travelling to the North will break the two million barrier for the first time this year.
Issuing its latest visitor figures, the board said it also anticipated a 14% increase in holiday visitors in 2004 to over 400,000.
Chief Executive Alan Clarke said that, based on January to September performance, initial estimates for the year were the most encouraging yet.
There has been an increase of 6% in total visits to over two million, while holiday visits also show a growth of 14% to 406,000.
Mr Clarke said they anticipated an extra 51,000 holidaymakers, mainly from North America, Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
He said tourism revenue for the year was estimated at £312 million.
