well i think the comment about 'coming to see the tribespeople of west belfast and driving up the falls and the shankill' is an absoulutely stupid thing to say. Those roads are the History of Belfast and are what make it so special. Who cares if we dont have museums and galleries, we have History and that to me is much more important. And why is there so much talk about improving things for tourists ? What about doing something for the people who have lived here and seen it change over the years. Something should be done for locals to benefit from.

Posted by Cailín | 26.12.08, 23:29 GMT

For every negative comment here, there are double the number who welcome the postitive press, which can only bring benefits to Belfast, especially during the economic downtown. Whatever you feel about tourists 'coming to see the tribespeople' of West Belfast, these areas are as legitimate in the history and culture of the city as anything else. Attractions are not confined to the realms of the museum and gallery (and there are plenty of those in Belfast from the Ormeau Baths to the Belfast Exposed photography gallery). Hop on a sightseeing tour bus yourself and you might learn something new. Open your eyes and take in the architecture, follow the audiovisual Titanic tour, visit the places associated with the United Irishmen - and most of these things are free or just the price of a pint.

Posted by Looee | 24.12.08, 09:00 GMT

My Parents left Belfast in 1910.I visited During the war when I was in the Canadian Navy and I thought it was a great city. good luck.Norman Kilpatrick

Posted by norman Kilpatrick | 23.12.08, 17:05 GMT

I am an expat who with my wife comes back to visit Belfast once or twice a year. Even through all the troubles over the the years, Belfast, I must say has not lost its charm. We have shopped in Toronto, Montreat, New York, Miami, Vegas, Chicago and Los Angeles to name a few cities in North America. We have also shopped in major cities in the UK. Downtown Belfast is a delight to shop and walk around in. There is a coziness to it, that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.

So all you Belfastonians, take pride in your city. You have shown the world an example in what you have endured over the last 40 years.

Posted by Earl | 23.12.08, 15:22 GMT

Sanderson, you have cheered me right up! You are comparing Barbados to Belfast. That is superb. thanks :-) I think you may find that tourists to your island arent interested in galleries, museums, architecture etc. I also imagine the customer service on youir island is better than here because it is shocking here. Belfast is surrounded by beautiful countryside but then so are most places if you think about it. It is a capital city but unfortunatley it has far less facilities and attractions than provincial cities of a similar size in the rest of the UK. There is no draw. Slap some lap dancing clubs up, which will get the stags and then the hens in. Sitting on a potential winner. Dublin is old hat, too expensive. Get some new money into the coffers. I cant see anyone wanting to get on a plane and book hotels just to see a interactive Titanic attraction!? You need to get the tourists here first

Posted by soarer | 23.12.08, 09:20 GMT

I live in one of the top holiday spots in the Caribbean.Many of the negative comments made here about Belfast, are echoed by many of the islanders about thier homeland.Yet people flock here for thier holidays,as they see the island from a different perspective than that of many of the residents. But invariably , many of the visitors, do return, and when asked what they liked most of the island, a high percentage state The Friendliness of the People. And I am sure that the same can be said of Belfast.......I was there.

Posted by Sanderson Rowe, Barbados | 23.12.08, 02:09 GMT

This has got to be a JOKE. A bit like the 400,000 visitors predicted yearly for the Titanic building. These people must be on drugs....

Posted by Patrick | 22.12.08, 18:53 GMT

The amount of negativity here is staggering. Considering the small size of Belfast, it does actually have a lot to offer. Obviously having the Ulster museum, Lyric theatre, Ulster Hall and City Hall all closed at the same time is unfortunate. Despite that there is still plenty on in the arts/cultural scene. I guess the earlier posters just don't bother looking for it. As for being attacked by drunks, well Belfast is actually one of the safest cities in the world. I'd take my chances on the waterfront over anywhere else any day (or night). Familiarity breeds contempt, beware of it.

Posted by Paul, Belfast | 22.12.08, 17:21 GMT

Great positive news for the City - we may still have a way to go but we are really heading in the right direction. Its up to us to make sure our vistors have a great stay and experience a warm Belfast Welcome and then they will keep coming back and spread the word to others.
Keep going Belfast!

Posted by cathlouise | 22.12.08, 16:56 GMT

Belfast has lots of nice restaurants and bars - yes. But how on earth does one avoid the millies who crowd the place every weekend - I've tried everywhere and there they are - male and female - ready to stick a bottle in your face - ghastly people

Posted by Pax | 22.12.08, 16:17 GMT

Some people seem to think that an Art Gallery and Museums are the only attraction for a holiday destination. Why?

Posted by AM | 22.12.08, 13:36 GMT

Theres alot of hate the world types in this discussion.

Posted by steve | 22.12.08, 13:29 GMT

why is it outsiders always compliment this city and anyone who lives here does nothing but complain! Way to big up your hometown locals!!

Posted by Wotsit | 22.12.08, 13:07 GMT

Seán MacCurtain, having a SF mayor and SF in 'Northern Ireland Power Sharing' just heightens the ambition that exists here (on all sides) to make NI work.

Amen to that, no?

Posted by mickey | 22.12.08, 12:55 GMT

Belfast has the potential to become a top city 'activity' destination with a natural cable car ride and downhill mountain biking centre on the Cave Hill, Watersports on the Lagan, Carrick and Holywood and Bungee jumping off H&W cranes complete with a restaurant on top. The Giants Park was a good idea wrongly pitched.

Also, instead of wasting money on a new stadium why not spend a relatively inexpensive £10 million and build an Xscape (Braehead, Glasgow) type indoor skiing, boarding, crazy golf and climbing centre - active wet weather fun for all the family, locals and tourists alike - and no political problems. If I had £10 million I would build one.......

Oh well I can only dream......

Posted by Leb Anon | 22.12.08, 12:32 GMT

Here Yip Yap,

Ssssshh!!

Posted by Armagh Bhoy | 22.12.08, 12:08 GMT

Nothing makes any of you lot happy! NOTHING!!

Posted by Wotsit | 22.12.08, 11:50 GMT

Belfast's desirability as a tourist attraction is good news for other parts of Ireland also. It is interesting to find the city for long thought to be the "jewel in the Loyalist crown" is so attractive to foreign visitors, even though the cities current mayor is a Sin Féin member.

Posted by Seán MacCurtain | 22.12.08, 11:50 GMT

this is an off the beaten track list. Belfast still ranks well behind other European cities for attractions for visitors. Other than drinking and shopping there is very little to do in the city. The Ulster Museum is closed. City Hall is closed. There is nothing to do around the waterfrfont area apart from get mugged by some spides. There are NO museums or decent art galleries. You can go up and have a ramble around Queens for a few minutes., and then what? The only things really worth visiting for, the Lagan towpath and Cave Hill are under funded and are actually quite dangerous at this time of year.
Its probably worth a visit for a short weekend break, but after you have seen everything the place has to offer and spent a boring Sunday morning wandering around the same litter strewn streets in the rain looking for somewhere serving breakfast for 2 hours, would you seriously consider a return visit?

Posted by Steven | 22.12.08, 11:25 GMT

This is laughable. This award is from rich people who've visited everywhere else in the known universe and decided they'd take a jaunt to Belshaft this year. It's a novelty. Belfast = Paris ? Don't make me laugh. Find me a single world-class attraction. Just one. An art gallery ? A museum ? Belfast has much to offer tourists, apparently. What, exactly ? A novelty ride up the Falls and Shankhill to laugh at the funny tribespeople ? Give over.

Posted by Yip | 22.12.08, 10:48 GMT