20/08/2013

Belfast Hotels Have Their Busiest Period Ever

Belfast hotels had their busiest ever period during the 10 days of the World Police and Fire Games.

The success of the event in bringing visitors to the city was revealed today to Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Alderman Gavin Robinson, chairman of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, as they met with staff at Visit Belfast's Welcome Centre.

Both were there to acknowledge the significant contribution of the team to the success of the event, after receiving glowing reports from competitors and their families on the warmth of the welcome and the first class service they had received during their stay.

Chief Executive Gerry Lennon revealed that the total revenue of hotels booked through Visit Belfast amounted to a staggering £1.73m during the period with almost 37,000 bed nights sold. There was almost 100% occupancy during the period, well above the eight-year August average of 77.7%.

Remarkably, visitors from far flung places such as USA, Canada, Australia, Russia, Mexico and Brazil were more numerous than European neighbours Sweden, Spain, and Germany.

With 2013 also proving to be a record year for cruises coming to the city – 58 scheduled to arrive this summer – and almost 60 conferences bringing in more than 20,000 delegates, the city continues to punch well above its weight in tourism.

(CD/JP)

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