Menu
18/05/2004
Belfast conference figures on the up
Belfast is hosting more major conferences than ever before, according to new figures.
Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) today revealed that 329,000 overnight out-of-state visitors travelled to the city for business and conference reasons in 2003, a 44% increase on 2002.
This equates to 46% of the total overnight out-of-state market, making conference and business visitors the cornerstone to Belfast's tourism economy.
Building on these figures, one of the most prestigious events due to take place in Belfast in 2006 is the XVII World Congress of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates.
BVCB worked closely with the NI Courts Service in preparing the bid and presentation in Geneva to ensure that Belfast won out over France and Thailand to host the congress which is held every four years.
Around 600 individuals representing the highest levels of judges and policy makers in their respective countries are due to attend the four-day congress which, it is estimated, will generate £580,000 for the local economy.
Una Donelly, Director of the Convention Bureau, said that increasing conference business was good news for the city in more ways than one.
“The growing number of prestigious events being hosted by Belfast is good news for both the local economy and the image of Belfast as a whole," she said. "Business visitors spend more during their stay than those travelling for pleasure and conferences provide a chance to showcase the city in a positive way, encouraging those people to return for a leisure trip.
“It also means that the more conferences we attract, the more examples of good practice we have to promote to buyers and organisers and success breeds success."
BVCB is a membership organisation funded by Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sponsored by Diageo NI.
(MB)
Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) today revealed that 329,000 overnight out-of-state visitors travelled to the city for business and conference reasons in 2003, a 44% increase on 2002.
This equates to 46% of the total overnight out-of-state market, making conference and business visitors the cornerstone to Belfast's tourism economy.
Building on these figures, one of the most prestigious events due to take place in Belfast in 2006 is the XVII World Congress of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates.
BVCB worked closely with the NI Courts Service in preparing the bid and presentation in Geneva to ensure that Belfast won out over France and Thailand to host the congress which is held every four years.
Around 600 individuals representing the highest levels of judges and policy makers in their respective countries are due to attend the four-day congress which, it is estimated, will generate £580,000 for the local economy.
Una Donelly, Director of the Convention Bureau, said that increasing conference business was good news for the city in more ways than one.
“The growing number of prestigious events being hosted by Belfast is good news for both the local economy and the image of Belfast as a whole," she said. "Business visitors spend more during their stay than those travelling for pleasure and conferences provide a chance to showcase the city in a positive way, encouraging those people to return for a leisure trip.
“It also means that the more conferences we attract, the more examples of good practice we have to promote to buyers and organisers and success breeds success."
BVCB is a membership organisation funded by Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sponsored by Diageo NI.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 June 2023
Belfast Mum Named Belfast Business Idea Winner
Sarah McKegney, a busy mum of three, has been crowned this year's Belfast Business Idea winner for her innovative range of plastic-free hair and skincare products for children.
Belfast Mum Named Belfast Business Idea Winner
Sarah McKegney, a busy mum of three, has been crowned this year's Belfast Business Idea winner for her innovative range of plastic-free hair and skincare products for children.
14 February 2023
New Belfast City Cemetery Visitor Centre Opens
A new visitor centre documenting the history of Belfast City Cemetery and the people buried within it has opened. The building is a key element of a £2.8 million heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities.
New Belfast City Cemetery Visitor Centre Opens
A new visitor centre documenting the history of Belfast City Cemetery and the people buried within it has opened. The building is a key element of a £2.8 million heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities.
27 April 2023
City Tourism Growth To Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels In 2024
Plans are on track to deliver around £120 million to the local economy this year, through Visit Belfast's sales, marketing and visitor servicing activity, marking a fresh growth milestone in the organisation's almost 25-year history Established in 1999 as the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) – a year after the Good Friday Agreement was
City Tourism Growth To Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels In 2024
Plans are on track to deliver around £120 million to the local economy this year, through Visit Belfast's sales, marketing and visitor servicing activity, marking a fresh growth milestone in the organisation's almost 25-year history Established in 1999 as the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) – a year after the Good Friday Agreement was
27 April 2010
City Tourism Rebuilt After Ash Crisis
As the 'fall-out' from the Icelandic volcano crisis settles, Belfast is set to 'buzz' again as the city fights to regain in-bound travellers.
City Tourism Rebuilt After Ash Crisis
As the 'fall-out' from the Icelandic volcano crisis settles, Belfast is set to 'buzz' again as the city fights to regain in-bound travellers.
02 October 2007
Belfast City Council Stadium Plan Expenditure
Belfast City Council has approved further expenditure of £140,000 on a new business plan to examine building a regional stadium in Belfast. It is reported that Belfast City Council has already spent in the region of £60,000 on the issue of a stadium in the city. Two previous proposals for a stadium at Ormeau Park have been dismissed.
Belfast City Council Stadium Plan Expenditure
Belfast City Council has approved further expenditure of £140,000 on a new business plan to examine building a regional stadium in Belfast. It is reported that Belfast City Council has already spent in the region of £60,000 on the issue of a stadium in the city. Two previous proposals for a stadium at Ormeau Park have been dismissed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
