Cultural tourism partnerships encouraged by Belfast Festival

Key figures from the tourism and cultural sectors are making time during the busy Belfast Festival period "cultural tourism networking event" at the Lyric Theatre today, organized by Belfast City Council’s Development Department.

Nearly 100 representatives from a wide variety of Belfast’s venues, theatre companies, hotels, restaurants, heritage and marketing organizations will seek to make vital business connections which could help secure Belfast’s place on the map as a significant cultural tourism destination.

Building on the success of recent networking events held at the Belfast Circus School and the Old Museum Arts Centre, today’s event has been organized in response to demand for continued opportunities to build working relationships and develop stronger links between the tourism industry and arts, heritage and sports organizations, venues, event and festival promoters.

Olga Murtagh, Belfast City Council Tourism Development Manager, said: “With the Belfast Festival at Queen’s in full swing, it is perfect timing for today’s networking event. The Festival is a great example of how we can bring the city alive through cultural events. Achieving a true cultural tourism destination status for Belfast will depend on continuing to foster productive partnerships and sharing the knowledge and expertise that exists in both our cultural and tourism organizations”.

David Johnston, Chairman of the Lyric Theatre, also was enthusiastic about the event: “Events like today’s offer a great opportunity for the Lyric to extend our links with colleagues in the tourism and hospitality trade. It’s all about making it as easy as possible for residents and visitors in the city to enjoy the best of our culture and entertainment – and creating opportunities for really memorable days and nights out in Belfast”.

The Cultural Tourism Strategy for Belfast was created in partnership with key agencies in the City to ensure the strategic development and promotion of culture and tourism. The Strategy and Action Plan are focused on maximizing the potential of events, entertainment and sport in the City, as well as more traditional interpretations of culture.

(GB)