The number of overseas visitors to Ireland fell by 2% last year, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.
The data shows that 7,839,000 people came here last year, compared to 8,012,000 in 2007.
Continental Europe was the only region to increase its visits to these shores, rising by 3.1%.
Transatlantic visits were badly affected, with 10% fewer trips made resulting in a drop of 26% in the amount spent.
Conversely, overseas trips made by Irish people rose by 2% in 2008, with 7,877,000 going abroad compared to 7,713,000 in 2007.
We also spent 11% more on our travels, with a 16% increase in our spending in Britain.
