Belfast tourism figures on the up

Belfast played host to nearly 1.5 million tourists last year, according to the latest figures from Belfast City Council.

The Belfast tourism monitor report showed that the 1.5 million tourists came to Belfast and this injected an estimated £87m into the Northern Ireland economy, which in turn helped to support around 12,528 jobs within the hospitality sector in 2001.

According to the results, last year Belfast attracted 527,000 overnight visitors, 501,000 of whom were from outside Northern Ireland – an increase of 16,500 over the previous year. Overnight visitors spent £68.7m in the city and a further 865,000-day visitors injected an additional £18.1m into the local economy.

Councillor Tom Hartley, Chairman of the Development (Tourism and Promotion of Belfast) Sub-Committee, said: “Tourism forms a vital part of the Belfast economy, both in terms of the revenue it generates and the jobs it sustains.

"Everyone within this sector is working to make our tourism industry even better and more successful. We know that Belfast offers a unique and wonderful product for our visitors but given the vagaries of the world marketplace, there are always factors that we as a destination cannot control."

Mr Hartley explained that the figures had to be taken in view of the challenges that faced the tourism sector last year, most notably the foot and mouth epidemic and the September 11 attack on the US.

He added: "It is encouraging to note therefore, that even in the face of such adverse factors, our tourism sector performed remarkably well."

However, Belfast's tourism sector received another blow last week when the city failed to make the UK shortlist for the European Capital of Culture 2008 bid.

Imagine Belfast 2008, which was set up by Belfast City Council to manage the city's bid, expressed "disappointment" at the news.

(AMcE)