'Transformed' Belfast Waterfront Officially Launched

The NI Chamber of Commerce is to hold the first official event in newly transformed Belfast Waterfront.

Lord Mayor Arder Carson officially opened the remodelled hall announcing the Chamber of Commerce dinner and the next major conference of International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland on 11 - 13 May.

Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, through the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, invested £29.5 million into Belfast Waterfront and it is expected to generate £100 million for the local economy over the next five years.

Belfast Waterfront has doubled in size to create an international venue capable of attracting major conferences with a fully flexible and integrated space catering for up to 5,000 delegates a day. Thirty international and national conferences have already been secured for the next three years - among them the BBC Good Food Show, the World Council of Credit Unions and the Royal College of Nursing.

Councillor Carson said: "Like the original decision to invest in the Laganside area back in 1997, the new look Belfast Waterfront in 2016 will elevate our city's global profile, bringing growth, prosperity and opportunities to Belfast and its people. It is a cornerstone of our vision for city centre regeneration and will add to our reputation as a vibrant global brand. 

"Visitors want to come here, thanks to our warm welcome, history, culture location and international reputation. We expect to get 50,000 delegate days each year by 2020 because of the new facilities, and two thirds of those are expected to be from out of state - bringing in an £45 million per year for the local economy each year from 2020." 

"The boost for our hotels, bars and restaurants will potentially create 1,500 jobs in the hospitality sector, bringing opportunities, particularly for our young people," added the Lord Mayor.

"Business visitors spend more, stay longer and come back. Research shows delegates can spend £488 per day on taxis, meals and accommodation. On average, 25% stay on after a conference finishes to sightsee, and 30% return within two years for a leisure visit with family or friends. 

"We have a growing reputation as a conference city and Belfast Waterfront now provides us with a world-class, high-tech venue on a par with other cities around the world."

(MH)