Hi °C | Lo °C The Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s contribution to the Northern Ireland economy will be revealed in a report due to be published early next year.
Local hoteliers, restaurateurs, publicans and retailers have hailed the event as an economic success after witnessing first hand the spin-offs from the festival.
Almost 40,000 tickets were sold for the 47th festival, which ran from October 16-31 with visitors from around the globe Czech Republic, USA, Latvia, France, Germany and Holland descending on Belfast for a series of concerts, plays and other events.
Julie Maguire, marketing director of Hastings Hotels, said the Europa was at full capacity in October during the festival.
“Visitors from across the province and from around the world availed of the festival accommodation rates and thousands of local theatre goers joined us for dinner before enjoying their show,” she said. “The festival not only attracts visitors to the city but when they enjoy a great night out, good food and accommodation, they are keen to return.”
Sponsor Ulster Bank said it was”delighted” by the large numbers of visitors attracted to the city.
Cormac McCarthy, chief executive of the Ulster Bank Group, said: “Through our involvement in the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s we were able to give new audiences a chance to experience the thrill of the theatre.”
