Menu
27/04/2010
City Tourism Rebuilt After Ash Crisis
As the 'fall-out' from the Icelandic volcano crisis settles, Belfast is set to 'buzz' again as the city fights to regain in-bound travellers.
As the tourism industry across Europe counts the cost of almost a week of travel disruption, Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) is working with its members to speed recovery and encourage visitors to reinstate their travel plans and come to Belfast.
BVCB is strengthening its current out-of-state marketing campaign which includes a multi-media promotional mix of TV, radio and outdoor activity, PR and digital marketing and focuses on special short break offers at a range of hotels.
The aim is to appeal to visitors to spend spring in Belfast by focusing on value breaks and highlighting festivals including the Festival of Fools, the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast Children's Festival and Titanic Maritime Festival as well as unique attractions such as the refurbished City Hall and Ulster Museum and St George's Market and the great Belfast food on offer in restaurants, cafés, markets and gastro pubs.
"A survey of our members has shown that many have seen a significant drop in trade due to the air traffic disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland," said BVCB Marketing Director, Michael McCormick.
"Our concerns are now on the lasting repercussions of cancelled business and travel but we're as an industry are determined to be positive and pro-actively work together to promote the city, its attractions, great range of accommodation and ease of access," he said.
"We are re-doubling our marketing efforts, particularly in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain as well as in other parts of Europe in order to encourage those who may have been forced to cancel or alter their plans to consider coming to Belfast this spring and summer," Michael added.
He is pictured with Howard Hastings, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, who has been working throughout the crisis to minimise the effect on the top hotel group's business.
"Since the crisis began, the staff and management in each of our hotels worked around the clock to accommodate guests who found themselves unable to leave the country.
"They also found themselves looking after local people and those from elsewhere in Ireland and Great Britain who found that their holiday plans had been hampered by the flight ban.
"While we have had a number of cancellations, rooms, meetings and conferences too, our own marketing efforts have sought to minimise the impact. We are keen to be involved with this campaign which should appeal to a wide range of domestic and out-of-state visitors," he said.
Andrea Hayes from flyBE (also pictured) is one of the carriers joining forces with BVCB to bring business and leisure travellers back to the city: "There is no denying that the flight ban has taken its toll on our business and we are keen to encourage passengers to return to Belfast and see passenger levels return to what they should be.
"We're already working hard to recoup the losses caused by this unusual event. We are delighted to be partnering BVCB's spring campaign, working in promoting our extensive regional services to Belfast and hope to see more visitors than ever flying into Belfast with flyBE."
Whilst the air crisis had the effect of boosting business for ferry companies, with Norfolkline and Stena Line carrying thousands of additional passengers during the crisis, both companies recognise that it has been a difficult time for many within the tourism industry.
Norfolkline and Stena Line are therefore also keen to continue highlighting the convenience and reliability of ferry links into Belfast from Great Britain and are therefore adding their support to the campaign.
(BMcC/GK)
As the tourism industry across Europe counts the cost of almost a week of travel disruption, Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) is working with its members to speed recovery and encourage visitors to reinstate their travel plans and come to Belfast.
BVCB is strengthening its current out-of-state marketing campaign which includes a multi-media promotional mix of TV, radio and outdoor activity, PR and digital marketing and focuses on special short break offers at a range of hotels.
The aim is to appeal to visitors to spend spring in Belfast by focusing on value breaks and highlighting festivals including the Festival of Fools, the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast Children's Festival and Titanic Maritime Festival as well as unique attractions such as the refurbished City Hall and Ulster Museum and St George's Market and the great Belfast food on offer in restaurants, cafés, markets and gastro pubs.
"A survey of our members has shown that many have seen a significant drop in trade due to the air traffic disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland," said BVCB Marketing Director, Michael McCormick.
"Our concerns are now on the lasting repercussions of cancelled business and travel but we're as an industry are determined to be positive and pro-actively work together to promote the city, its attractions, great range of accommodation and ease of access," he said.
"We are re-doubling our marketing efforts, particularly in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain as well as in other parts of Europe in order to encourage those who may have been forced to cancel or alter their plans to consider coming to Belfast this spring and summer," Michael added.
He is pictured with Howard Hastings, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, who has been working throughout the crisis to minimise the effect on the top hotel group's business.
"Since the crisis began, the staff and management in each of our hotels worked around the clock to accommodate guests who found themselves unable to leave the country.
"They also found themselves looking after local people and those from elsewhere in Ireland and Great Britain who found that their holiday plans had been hampered by the flight ban.
"While we have had a number of cancellations, rooms, meetings and conferences too, our own marketing efforts have sought to minimise the impact. We are keen to be involved with this campaign which should appeal to a wide range of domestic and out-of-state visitors," he said.
Andrea Hayes from flyBE (also pictured) is one of the carriers joining forces with BVCB to bring business and leisure travellers back to the city: "There is no denying that the flight ban has taken its toll on our business and we are keen to encourage passengers to return to Belfast and see passenger levels return to what they should be.
"We're already working hard to recoup the losses caused by this unusual event. We are delighted to be partnering BVCB's spring campaign, working in promoting our extensive regional services to Belfast and hope to see more visitors than ever flying into Belfast with flyBE."
Whilst the air crisis had the effect of boosting business for ferry companies, with Norfolkline and Stena Line carrying thousands of additional passengers during the crisis, both companies recognise that it has been a difficult time for many within the tourism industry.
Norfolkline and Stena Line are therefore also keen to continue highlighting the convenience and reliability of ferry links into Belfast from Great Britain and are therefore adding their support to the campaign.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
28 April 2022
Tourism Growth Expected To Hit £97m
Visit Belfast has raised its growth target for 2022, promising an economic return for Belfast of £97m Belfast's tourism sector expects to see further growth this year, buoyed by a steady and sustained rise in consumer and business optimism from the city key tourism sectors – business events, city breaks and cruise, according to the city region's de
Tourism Growth Expected To Hit £97m
Visit Belfast has raised its growth target for 2022, promising an economic return for Belfast of £97m Belfast's tourism sector expects to see further growth this year, buoyed by a steady and sustained rise in consumer and business optimism from the city key tourism sectors – business events, city breaks and cruise, according to the city region's de
05 July 2023
Visit Belfast Named 'Best Convention Bureau' At Micebook Awards
Visit Belfast has been named 'Best Convention Bureau' in recognition for its sustainable tourism approach and client support.
Visit Belfast Named 'Best Convention Bureau' At Micebook Awards
Visit Belfast has been named 'Best Convention Bureau' in recognition for its sustainable tourism approach and client support.
27 April 2023
City Tourism Growth To Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels In 2024
Plans are on track to deliver around £120 million to the local economy this year, through Visit Belfast's sales, marketing and visitor servicing activity, marking a fresh growth milestone in the organisation's almost 25-year history Established in 1999 as the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) – a year after the Good Friday Agreement was
City Tourism Growth To Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels In 2024
Plans are on track to deliver around £120 million to the local economy this year, through Visit Belfast's sales, marketing and visitor servicing activity, marking a fresh growth milestone in the organisation's almost 25-year history Established in 1999 as the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) – a year after the Good Friday Agreement was
01 October 2002
Health Minister accused of 'twisting truth' over rape centre
A dispute over the funding of the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre (BRCC) deepened further today after the head of the centre accused Health Minister Bairbre de Brun of "twisting the truth and hiding behind civil servants".
Health Minister accused of 'twisting truth' over rape centre
A dispute over the funding of the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre (BRCC) deepened further today after the head of the centre accused Health Minister Bairbre de Brun of "twisting the truth and hiding behind civil servants".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
