Overseas Visitors to Northern Ireland 2017 increase by +2%
June 2018
Tourism Ireland has welcomed figures for overseas visitors to Northern Ireland for 2017, published by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) today.
The figures confirm that we welcomed a record 2.175 million overseas visitors – up +2%, or almost 43,000 additional overseas visitors, on 2016. Holiday visitors accounted for 709,000 overseas visitors (up almost +4% on 2016); and, more importantly for the economy, revenue from overseas visitors to Northern Ireland grew by over +4% (£566 million).
In 2018, Tourism Ireland aims to build on the 2017 performance – growing overseas tourism revenue to £623 million, driven by more than 2.3 million overseas visitors.
Over 650 additional hotel rooms for Belfast
May 2018
Belfast will gain a total of over 650 additional hotel rooms in the heart of the city over the next couple of months. AC Hotels by Marriott boasting 188 rooms, has already opened its doors, and coming in June the Grand Central (Hasting Hotels) 300 rooms and Hampton by Hilton Belfast with 178 rooms. Read more.
Coach Tourism Award for Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
May 2018
Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre were recently awarded the accolade of Highly Commended at The British Coach Tourism Awards 2018. Patricia McCauley Visitor Centre Manager said, “We are totally thrilled to receive the Highly Commended award in the Coach Friendly Attraction category. Competition was very strong with famous attractions including Alton Towers, Longleat and The World of James Herriot all in the running.
Arthur Goan Operations Director who collected the award on the night at a gala dinner held at the National Motor Cycle Museum in Birmingham explained, “this recognition really positions Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre as an attraction not only in the tour operator market bringing business to Ireland but it has much wider implications. We hope to see operators that perhaps historically would have stayed in Great Britain now making plans to come across the water to visit Northern Ireland and Belleek Pottery. It is important to add too that we were the only attraction from Northern Ireland shortlisted and one of only two entrants presented with a prize in this category”.
The purpose of the Awards is to recognise and reward those businesses that make life as easy as possible for coach group organisers – attractions, destination, hotels, wholesalers and other suppliers that contribute to the UK’s thriving group tourism sector by being as “coach friendly” as possible. Ms McCauley finished by saying “We are totally committed to our tour operator business and have seen it grow year on year. This award has showcased that commitment and will cement our reputation as a coach operator destination”.
For more details on Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre Visit www.belleekpottery.ie
Group Space Available 2018
February 2018
Group space available for 2018 at Racket Hall Country House Hotel, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Offering cosy log fires, exceptional Irish cuisine & elegantly appointed bedrooms, coach parking and meeting rooms, great location in the centre of Ireland. Ideal as a stop over to GALWAY - KERRY - CORK - DUBLIN or as a base stay or explore the many nearby attractions. Close to: Kilkenny city/ Limerick city/ Rock of Cashel/Clonmacnoise/ Birr Castle & the Great Telescope/Holycross Abbey.
For group enquiries contact Central Reservations Office:
Email: group@trinityhospitality.com or telphone: 00 353 1 6391117
Gold Award for Convention Centre Dublin
March 2018
The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) has won an M&IT award for the eighth year running, picking up the Gold award for ‘Best Overseas Conference Centre’ at the 2017 UK Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT) Industry Awards in London on Friday 2 March. This is the sixth time the venue has won Gold, having featured highly in this category in the eight years since it opened in 2010.
“We are delighted to win this top award again and to be recognised by our clients in the UK market for an eighth year running,” said Stephen Meehan, CEO of The CCD. “We would like to sincerely thank everyone who voted for us. This means so much to the team here at The CCD and reflects their talent and passion in delivering exceptional customer service and excellence in event delivery for all our clients.”
The M&IT Industry Awards are voted for by readers of Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine and they recognise and reward excellence in the industry. The CCD was shortlisted against five major international convention centres – Bella Center, Copenhagen, CCIB (Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona), Fira Barcelona, Grimaldi Forum Monaco, and RAI Amsterdam.
The Gala Awards Dinner, hosted by television and radio presenter Kate Garraway, took place at the Battersea Evolution in front of almost 1,200 UK and international industry professionals. The CCD has now won an M&IT award every year since opening in September 2010, and this latest win brings the total number of industry awards the venue has received to 38.
Summer has arrived at the Guinness Storehouse
July 2018
Throughout July and August, Guinness Storehouse will open from 9am - 8pm with last admission at 6pm and their Taste More experience will be running Thursday to Sunday over the Summer months. For more information see www.guinnessopengate.com or contact them on info@guinnessopengate.com
WORK BEGINS ON £15 MILLION UPGRADE AT BELFAST CITY AIRPORT
April 2018
Work as part of a £15 million upgrade project to improve the passenger experience at George Best Belfast City Airport is now underway. The major infrastructure investment includes an upgrade of the airport’s departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering. Upcoming works will include additional food and beverage outlets, new and enlarged toilet facilities in Departures, as well as more seating areas. The entire works will be completed by October 2018.
2018 Off To A Great Start
March 2018
Almost 2 million arrivals* to the Republic of Ireland were recorded in the 3 months of ‘November 2017-January 2018’, reflecting an increase of +6% over the same period a year ago. In 2017, January represented 6% of arrivals for the year. Arrivals from North America grew by +3.1% in January. Mainland Europe was up almost +17% on January last year, with particularly strong performances from Germany and Italy. In 2018, approximately 585k overseas arrivals were recorded in January, this represents an increase of +4% compared to January 2017.
*arrivals include same day trips and non-tourism related trips
February 2018 Visitor Numbers
March 2018
The CSO have published ‘February 2018’ direct arrivals to the Republic of Ireland. Direct ROI arrivals include same day trips and non-tourism related trips. In 2017, February represented 5% of arrivals (the lowest monthly arrivals) for the year. In 2018, approximately 575k overseas arrivals were recorded in February, this represents an increase of +12% compared to February 2017. Almost 2 million arrivals were recorded in the 3 months of ‘December 2017- February 2018’, reflecting an increase of +6% over the same period a year ago.
Global Greening St Patrick’s Day 2018
February 2018
Tourism Ireland today launched its Global Greening campaign for 2018, continuing the organisation’s first-half promotional drive to grow overseas tourism to the island. The initiative – now in its ninth year – has grown from strength to strength, with exciting new attractions and sites around the world joining some ‘old favourites’ to turn green this year for St Patrick's Day.
Click here for the 2018 line-up confirmed to date.
The Global Greening campaign helps to generate over €10M in positive publicity for the island of Ireland at an important time for decision-making on holidays.
Visitor Numbers to Northern Ireland
February 2018
Almost 1.7 million (1.673k) overseas visitors were welcomed in the first three-quarters of 2017, this represents an increase of +4%, or almost +70k more visitors than the same period in 2016. Almost half (48%) of these were extra visitors were holidaymakers, contributing strongly to this growth (an additional +33k holidaymakers or an increase of +6%). Almost all market areas contributed to this growth in holidaymakers. Revenue grew by +12%, driven by strong growth in holiday revenue +29%. Nights grew by +7% mainly driven by holiday nights (+46%).