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21/04/2004
Over 5 million tourists visit Belfast in 2003
Over five million people visited Belfast last year, according to latest statistics.
According to figures released today by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), the number of out of state visitors staying overnight in Belfast also rose by 25% to 713,000.
The high numbers of visitors, revealed through the Belfast Tourism Monitor research commissioned by Belfast City Council, have been beneficial to local hotels and businesses, as visitors spent a total of £232million in Belfast in 2003.
Councillor Nelson McCausland, Chair of Belfast City Council’s tourism and promotion of Belfast sub-committee welcomed the increase in visitors.
“It is clear that more people than ever are choosing to visit Belfast and to stay overnight in the city," Cllr. McCausland said. "The figures announced today are excellent news for encouraging new developments in the tourism infrastructure.
"With the growth of new hotels, attractions and eateries in Belfast, there is an increasingly warm welcome for visitors, encouraging further economic and social regeneration.”
BVCB Chief Executive Gerry Lennon was also delighted with the figures.
He said: “At BVCB we have been working extremely hard alongside our strategic partners to market Belfast in a fresh, exciting way to visitors both at home and abroad. This strategy is certainly beginning to bear fruit as millions of people are now discovering all that the city has to offer.
“We are delighted that people have been visiting Belfast in such large numbers during 2003, surpassing all projected targets for the year. Current signs point to another bumper year for the city in 2004 as people continue to respond to the work we are carrying out to promote a positive perception of Belfast.”
Business wise, Belfast attracted over 40 association conferences bringing in 15,000 delegates, with a further 47 conferences confirmed for this year.
Last year eight cruise ships docked in Belfast in July and August, and nine are expected to visit this summer.
(MB)
According to figures released today by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), the number of out of state visitors staying overnight in Belfast also rose by 25% to 713,000.
The high numbers of visitors, revealed through the Belfast Tourism Monitor research commissioned by Belfast City Council, have been beneficial to local hotels and businesses, as visitors spent a total of £232million in Belfast in 2003.
Councillor Nelson McCausland, Chair of Belfast City Council’s tourism and promotion of Belfast sub-committee welcomed the increase in visitors.
“It is clear that more people than ever are choosing to visit Belfast and to stay overnight in the city," Cllr. McCausland said. "The figures announced today are excellent news for encouraging new developments in the tourism infrastructure.
"With the growth of new hotels, attractions and eateries in Belfast, there is an increasingly warm welcome for visitors, encouraging further economic and social regeneration.”
BVCB Chief Executive Gerry Lennon was also delighted with the figures.
He said: “At BVCB we have been working extremely hard alongside our strategic partners to market Belfast in a fresh, exciting way to visitors both at home and abroad. This strategy is certainly beginning to bear fruit as millions of people are now discovering all that the city has to offer.
“We are delighted that people have been visiting Belfast in such large numbers during 2003, surpassing all projected targets for the year. Current signs point to another bumper year for the city in 2004 as people continue to respond to the work we are carrying out to promote a positive perception of Belfast.”
Business wise, Belfast attracted over 40 association conferences bringing in 15,000 delegates, with a further 47 conferences confirmed for this year.
Last year eight cruise ships docked in Belfast in July and August, and nine are expected to visit this summer.
(MB)
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