Menu
27/05/2009
Booze Boosts Derry Tourism's 'Vision'
As a new 'vision' for the future of tourism in the 'Maiden City' is launched, it has been revealed that more prosaic cross-border visitors are already boosting the local economy - shoppers from the Irish Republic buying booze.
NI Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, revealed Londonderry's Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan today.
She said that it sets out the tourism vision for Derry City and the wider region, over the next three years.
"It aims to increase the tourism economy and seeks to enhance the tourism product on offer, while investing in new infrastructure and realising the full potential of the region's unique historic and cultural assets," she said.
"It can make an important regional contribution to the Stormont Programme for Government's tourism targets, including increasing visitor numbers by 25% and visitor spend by 40%."
Commenting on the opportunities from the closer to home markets, Arlene Foster said: "Despite the wider economic climate, statistics for 2008 show that the number of holidaymakers from the Republic of Ireland is up by 26% compared to the same period in 2007.
"I am confident that we can build on this and encourage our 'closer to home' markets to explore more of Northern Ireland for themselves."
Her confidence is well placed, it seems, as the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has just revealed alcohol sales fell by a huge 13% compared to the first quarter of last year.
The group said the figures confirmed fears that the major increase in cross-border shopping, combined with the economic downturn had exacerbated the waning industry over the past few years.
DIGI Chairman Kieran Tobin said the fall in alcohol sales was unprecedented and warned of jobs losses across the sector, particular in businesses located in the border region.
Mr Tobin said: "Cross-border shopping remains attractive even after the April UK budget because of the favourable Euro rate of exchange, lower UK VAT rate, lower UK alcohol excise levels and generally lower business and labour costs in Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile, as drinks' shoppers continue to 'pour' across the Border, the Derry Mayor, Councillor Gerard Diver, said the new tourism strategy has ambitious but achievable targets that will place tourism as a priority economic driver that will bring jobs and new opportunities for growth.
"Tourism is a key economic driver and is essential if we are to stimulate new opportunities for growth and development," he said.
See: Alcohol Sales Take "Unprecedented Decline"
(BMcC)
NI Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, revealed Londonderry's Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan today.
She said that it sets out the tourism vision for Derry City and the wider region, over the next three years.
"It aims to increase the tourism economy and seeks to enhance the tourism product on offer, while investing in new infrastructure and realising the full potential of the region's unique historic and cultural assets," she said.
"It can make an important regional contribution to the Stormont Programme for Government's tourism targets, including increasing visitor numbers by 25% and visitor spend by 40%."
Commenting on the opportunities from the closer to home markets, Arlene Foster said: "Despite the wider economic climate, statistics for 2008 show that the number of holidaymakers from the Republic of Ireland is up by 26% compared to the same period in 2007.
"I am confident that we can build on this and encourage our 'closer to home' markets to explore more of Northern Ireland for themselves."
Her confidence is well placed, it seems, as the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has just revealed alcohol sales fell by a huge 13% compared to the first quarter of last year.
The group said the figures confirmed fears that the major increase in cross-border shopping, combined with the economic downturn had exacerbated the waning industry over the past few years.
DIGI Chairman Kieran Tobin said the fall in alcohol sales was unprecedented and warned of jobs losses across the sector, particular in businesses located in the border region.
Mr Tobin said: "Cross-border shopping remains attractive even after the April UK budget because of the favourable Euro rate of exchange, lower UK VAT rate, lower UK alcohol excise levels and generally lower business and labour costs in Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile, as drinks' shoppers continue to 'pour' across the Border, the Derry Mayor, Councillor Gerard Diver, said the new tourism strategy has ambitious but achievable targets that will place tourism as a priority economic driver that will bring jobs and new opportunities for growth.
"Tourism is a key economic driver and is essential if we are to stimulate new opportunities for growth and development," he said.
See: Alcohol Sales Take "Unprecedented Decline"
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 August 2024
Ministers Announce New Shared Island Tourism Funding Scheme
A new funding scheme from the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project – featuring Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland – has been announced by Economy Minister Conor Murphy and Ireland's Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin.
Ministers Announce New Shared Island Tourism Funding Scheme
A new funding scheme from the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project – featuring Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland – has been announced by Economy Minister Conor Murphy and Ireland's Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin.
14 November 2008
All-Ireland Tourism Showcases In London
Tourism Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland supported local tourism at the industry's largest trade exhibition, in London, this week.
All-Ireland Tourism Showcases In London
Tourism Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland supported local tourism at the industry's largest trade exhibition, in London, this week.
27 October 2022
New £4m NI Tourism Campaign Launches
Tourism Ireland has announced a new £4 million multi-media promotional campaign across Great Britain to promote short breaks and holidays in Northern Ireland. The campaign is a result of funding recently announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons to help Northern Ireland's tourism industry rebuild and expand post pandemic.
New £4m NI Tourism Campaign Launches
Tourism Ireland has announced a new £4 million multi-media promotional campaign across Great Britain to promote short breaks and holidays in Northern Ireland. The campaign is a result of funding recently announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons to help Northern Ireland's tourism industry rebuild and expand post pandemic.
27 January 2010
Tourism Matters In Focus
Whether it is 'flying your kite' surfing off Benone, (pictured) or enjoying cultural tourism in west Belfast, the way tourism is marketed has been in focus this week. Both an advance - and a more backward step - in tourism matters were highlighted yesterday as two politicians spoke out on making the most of visitor numbers.
Tourism Matters In Focus
Whether it is 'flying your kite' surfing off Benone, (pictured) or enjoying cultural tourism in west Belfast, the way tourism is marketed has been in focus this week. Both an advance - and a more backward step - in tourism matters were highlighted yesterday as two politicians spoke out on making the most of visitor numbers.
01 October 2008
Accolades For Selling Tourist Ireland Abroad
The hard work of those who market Ireland as a tourist destination abroad has been recognised. Tourism Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland joined forces for the inaugural, 'Ambassadors for Tourism Awards' earlier this week.
Accolades For Selling Tourist Ireland Abroad
The hard work of those who market Ireland as a tourist destination abroad has been recognised. Tourism Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland joined forces for the inaugural, 'Ambassadors for Tourism Awards' earlier this week.
-
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.
