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Gateway to Belfast City’s tourism boost
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Siobhan McCauley, director of product development at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and Susie McCullough, director of marketing at Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau after the announcement of a new funding package for BVCB
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Northen Ireland Tourist Board has committed partnership funding of up to £717,500 a year for three years to Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB).
NITB has committed partnership funding of up to £717,500 a year for three years to Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB).
NITB is one of a number of private and public sector partners who will contribute towards an overall fund of £4.1m a year.
Alan Clarke, chief executive of NITB, said: “Our collective target in the tourism industry in Northern Ireland is to grow visitor numbers by 25% and visitor spend by 40% by 2011.”
“BVCB has a key role to play in support of these targets and our priorities lie in developing the city as a gateway, conference and city break destination.
“The objectives we have set for BVCB are ambitious, but with the support of the private sector, we believe they are achievable.”
Over the next three years, BVCB will be working in partnership with NITB to deliver a step change in tourism across Belfast and Northern Ireland, while strengthening the role of the private sector to take the lead in the future.”
Gerry Lennon, the BVCB chief executive, said the investment was a major boost in the drive to develop and promote the newly-branded city.
He said: “The investment by NITB will have a significant impact on the way we are able to develop and market the city, allowing us to continue to take the message of a vibrant, exciting and modern city with an interesting and diverse culture and history to potential visitors.”
The funding will assist BVCB in running the Belfast and Northern Ireland Welcome Centres at the two Belfast airports and at Donegall Place.
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I agree Steven, but perhaps blaming business for lack of activity on a Sunday prior to 1pm is a bit off the mark. You should really attack the current legislation that applies to Northern Ireland - The Sunday Trading Act 1994 is unique in the UK preventing substantial retail activity prior to 1pm. It was a concession at the time to pacify the 'keep Sunday special' campaign at bay. It's now long overdue a rethink, especially to accommodate out ever increasing tourism economy!
Once there is an active customer base walking around, you'll find a stream of eating establishments making good use of them!
Posted by StephenM | 03.10.08, 18:19 GMT
So they are paying more money to set up centers so tourists can find out whats outside of Belfast when they realise there are no museums or attractions in the city. Belfast needs a decent art gallery, an interpretive museum dedicated to the modern history of the city (the black taxi tours are unique and informative, but they are in no way a long term tourist attraction). The tourist board also needs to do a hell of a lot more to raise awareness of the brilliant natural resources in and around the city (the Lagan walk or Cavehill for instance). Finally, they need to push business to offer more on Sunday. It is near impossible to find anywhere to eat before 1pm, which is a complete joke.
Posted by Steven | 02.10.08, 11:13 GMT
If they want people to come to Belfast they could do with spending some money on making something (anything!) to actually see or do. All we have at the minute are surface carparks and derelict streets.
Posted by Ben | 01.10.08, 14:08 GMT