Christmas Is On Its Way And So Are The Irish

An estimated 150,000 Irish shoppers will take to the skies over the Atlantic to indulge in some Christmas shopping in New York, Chicago and Boston over the coming weeks. Cheaper Christmas gifts together with tax free shopping will see the shoppers spend 225 million euro in the U.S. - an average of 1,500 euro per traveler.

New York is the in place for travelers who see the Big Apple as not just a shopping destination but a party destination also. Travel bookings for the seasonal trip to the US from Ireland are up by as much as 30% on last year with some Manhattan hotels still offering availability in the run up to Christmas.

Designer clothing and electronic goods together with souveniers are the popular items on the shoppers Christmas list. Being a non U.S. shopper can make tax savings in a lot of stores and in favorites Macy's and Bloomingdales, sales tax can be saved by producing ones passport.