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04/02/2004
NI tourist numbers likely to increase by 15%
The number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland is expected to increase by up to 15% over the next year, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) said today.
According to today's figures for the year 2003, Northern Ireland saw visitor numbers increase by 11% to 1.935 million, while holiday visits grew grown by 15% to 327,000. Tourism revenue also jumped 4% in real terms, the lower growth rate reflecting changes in the average length of stay and increasing competitive pressures within tourism.
Commenting on the figures, Alan Clarke, NITB Chief Executive said: "Over the past year NITB has carried out three industry ‘barometers’ surveying tourism establishments across Northern Ireland.
"The results indicate that the industry’s buoyant performance early in the season has been sustained through the peak summer period and beyond, with a significant majority of accommodation providers reporting that their overall business for the year has increased on 2002. The figures released today support these findings.”
Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland said that strong growth in overseas visitors to Northern Ireland was also good news for the tourism industry here.
"Throughout the year we worked closely with NITB and the industry and this collaborative effort yielded these exceptional results. In particular, we are very pleased with the strong growth in visitor numbers from the British market where we focussed considerable marketing investment.
"Our marketing campaigns for the year ahead are in full swing, and we look forward to a challenging year with optimism," he added.
(MB)
According to today's figures for the year 2003, Northern Ireland saw visitor numbers increase by 11% to 1.935 million, while holiday visits grew grown by 15% to 327,000. Tourism revenue also jumped 4% in real terms, the lower growth rate reflecting changes in the average length of stay and increasing competitive pressures within tourism.
Commenting on the figures, Alan Clarke, NITB Chief Executive said: "Over the past year NITB has carried out three industry ‘barometers’ surveying tourism establishments across Northern Ireland.
"The results indicate that the industry’s buoyant performance early in the season has been sustained through the peak summer period and beyond, with a significant majority of accommodation providers reporting that their overall business for the year has increased on 2002. The figures released today support these findings.”
Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland said that strong growth in overseas visitors to Northern Ireland was also good news for the tourism industry here.
"Throughout the year we worked closely with NITB and the industry and this collaborative effort yielded these exceptional results. In particular, we are very pleased with the strong growth in visitor numbers from the British market where we focussed considerable marketing investment.
"Our marketing campaigns for the year ahead are in full swing, and we look forward to a challenging year with optimism," he added.
(MB)
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