An estimated 34 per cent more British and Irish visitors travelled to Estonia in January 2011 than the previous year, new figures have revealed.

It marks a promising start to a year in which the country's capital city Tallinn is European Capital of Culture.

Over the course of the month, British and Irish visitors were the fifth largest market for Estonia, after inbound tourism from neighbouring countries Finland, Russia, Latvia and Sweden.

Estonia's director of Tourism, Tarmo Mutso, said: "Tallinn is one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2011 and this is attracting a lot of interest in the city, not least as a result of the extensive media coverage we've had right across Europe."

Mr Musto added that new flights to the country from Ryanair and easyJet are also having a positive impact on the tourism market.

The news follows recent comments made by Mary Stuart-Miller, the UK director of tourism for the Estonia Tourist Board, stating that Tallinn's old town should be a focal point for any visit to the city.