THE Giant's Causeway has become the only tourist attraction in Northern Ireland to attract one million visitors in the past year, it has emerged.
Owned by the National Trust, the landmark World Heritage site has seen its visitor numbers rocket by 33 per cent over the past four years.
The milestone comes just three months after the Causeway coast was named alongside the city of Belfast as the number one region in the world by the Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2018 guide.
International tourists account for the lion's share of visitors.
An £18.5m visitor centre opened close to the site in 2012 and was inspired by the Causeway's 40,000 hexagonal basalt stones.
Heather McLachlan, National Trust director for the north said their latest visitor numbers represented an "incredible achievement".
"We are committed to delivering a responsible and sustainable tourism offering that minimises social, economic and environmental impacts whilst generating greater economic benefits for local people and enhancing the wellbeing of the local community.
She added: "The Giant's Causeway offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at this area of outstanding beauty whilst unlocking the stories of the stunning rock formation."
The site was also named the best UK heritage attraction for the third consecutive year at the British travel awards earlier this month.
