City's tourist numbers hit record high
MORE people visited Belfast in 2008 than in any other year in the last decade, generating £437 million for the city and benefiting Northern Ireland as a whole, it was claimed yesterday.
The record results were announced at the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau’s (BVCB) 10th anniversary event at the Waterfront in the city.
The figures, said organisers, underline that even in the middle of a recession, Belfast’s tourism continued to grow significantly, espcially from the Republic, where traveller numbers increased by 200 per cent over 2007.
The 2008 figures reveal that ‘out-of-state’ visitors increased by 41 per cent to 2.2 million and overnight visitors increased by 11 per cent to 1.6 million.
As the gateway city to the rest of Northern Ireland, it is estimated that Belfast represents 65 per cent of visitors to the region.
BVCB chief executive, Gerry Lennon, said: “Since 1999, when BVCB was created, partnership and investment have been the cornerstones to our success and today is a tribute to Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, our 500 member organisations and our commercial sponsors Diageo Northern Ireland and Value Cabs.”
Citing the reopening of the Ulster Hall, City Hall and the Ulster Museum this year as well as the arrival of the Tall Ships in August, Mr Lennon said the draw of Northern Ireland as a destination was set to expand further.
“Belfast has come of age and has developed into a confident and contemporary city, a place with a rich sense of welcome and a wide range of things to do.”
Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartley said the significance of the figures could not be overemphasised.
“These results demonstrate what is possible when we apply true vision to a very important sector of our local economy.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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