AN INCREASING number of Canadian travellers are choosing to visit Ireland with figures showing 102,000 Canadian visitors - an average annual growth rate of three per cent since 2001.

"We are very pleased about the introduction of Zoom Airlines' new direct service to Belfast from Vancouver," said Alison Metcalfe, vice-president, Canada, Tourism Ireland.

"It makes getting to Ireland from western Canada so much easier and provides an opportunity for visitors to discover the unique heritage, culture and breathtaking scenery to be found in Northern Ireland, the North West and other regions of Ireland. The extended serv ice means that Canadian travellers will now have direct access into Northern Ireland and indeed onto the island of Ireland all the year round."