Ireland Rated Top Holiday Destination By Chinese

And it seems to be paying off.

Ireland was voted "Most Popular Destination 2010" at the Special Trip: World Travel Awards, organized by the Oriental Morning Post, a daily newspaper in Shanghai with over 400,000 readers.

The prize was voted by readers, as well as travel specialists from around China.

It was the second accolade for Ireland in recent weeks from China.

In a recent survey by Life Style a Beijing newspaper with a circulation of about 300,000, Ireland was rated the "Destination with the Most Potential for 2011".

"We are absolutely delighted that Ireland has been singled out," said Susan Li, of Tourism Ireland China, accepting the Special Trip award, "Tourism Ireland has been working hard to build awareness of the island of Ireland as a premier holiday destination in China."

"I'm confident that this award will enhance the reputation of the island of Ireland and help to attract more Chinese visitors in 2011 and beyond."

The huge efforts being made in China by Tourism Ireland have not gone unnoticed either.

The tourism body itself was awarded "Most Creative Destination" by the national newspaper Global Times at a recent awards ceremony in Beijing.

The vote by travel professionals and readers of the newspaper was in recognition of the promotional campaign and activity undertaken by Tourism Ireland in China last year.