Menu
03/07/2009
Belfast's Cross Border Shopping 'Booming'
More than four out of five day-trippers to Belfast in 2008 were from the across the border.
Belfast City Council has said they also made up almost 25% of those staying overnight.
Thanks to last year's rapidly weakening pound rate against the euro, record numbers of people from the Republic of Ireland made day trips to Belfast.
That represented a massive growth on the previous year when cross-border visitors made up a healthy enough third of day trippers, but accounted for just 9% of overnight stays.
The rise in overnight stays would appear to indicate a renewed confidence in that NI is to remain stable - a far cry from the days of The Troubles, when cross border visits were extremely limited - through fears over terrorism.
The new figures were contained in the Belfast Tourism Monitor - an annual analysis of the city's tourism industry.
The figures showed that while the overall number of visitors to the city rose by just 3%, the number of 'out-of-state' visitors rose by 43% and day-trippers to Belfast by a huge 143%.
Chairman of the Development Committee, Councillor William Humphrey, said: "This growth can be largely attributed to the growing number of visitors from the Republic of Ireland, many of them taking advantage of the strength of the euro against sterling, especially in the run up to last Christmas."
The exchange rate between the pound and euro reached parity in 2008, prompting many people in the Republic to take advantage and shop in Northern Ireland.
As well as increased overnight trade for hotels, the hospitality sector in general also did well.
The Belfast figures show that 52% of the visitors' spending went to restaurants and hotels and this rose to 74% for conference delegates and 76% of other business visitors.
As memories of strife-torn streets recede, the survey also showed 67% of all the people who visited Belfast in 2008 were doing so for the first time.
The 2009 Irish Budget in October last year also increased the volume of trade going to 'the North'.
A bonanza for border businesses was correctly predicted after the Finance Minister Lenihan's attempt to balance the Irish Republic's economy.
NI traders saw a run on cigarettes (up 50 cents a packet) and wine (also up 50 cents) as well as many other goods as the strong Euro combined with price differences to increase an already healthy trade from Irish shoppers last Christmas.
Alcohol in general, sweets and furniture were already particularly popular with the day-trippers.
A massive increase in people doing their weekly grocery shop in NI was also noted as 2008 came to an end.
Shoppers from Dundalk, Drogheda and even Dublin flooded the likes of The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry, where Sainsbury's said that 30% of its trading was already in Euros.
See: Border Budget Bonanza For NI
(BMcC)
Belfast City Council has said they also made up almost 25% of those staying overnight.
Thanks to last year's rapidly weakening pound rate against the euro, record numbers of people from the Republic of Ireland made day trips to Belfast.
That represented a massive growth on the previous year when cross-border visitors made up a healthy enough third of day trippers, but accounted for just 9% of overnight stays.
The rise in overnight stays would appear to indicate a renewed confidence in that NI is to remain stable - a far cry from the days of The Troubles, when cross border visits were extremely limited - through fears over terrorism.
The new figures were contained in the Belfast Tourism Monitor - an annual analysis of the city's tourism industry.
The figures showed that while the overall number of visitors to the city rose by just 3%, the number of 'out-of-state' visitors rose by 43% and day-trippers to Belfast by a huge 143%.
Chairman of the Development Committee, Councillor William Humphrey, said: "This growth can be largely attributed to the growing number of visitors from the Republic of Ireland, many of them taking advantage of the strength of the euro against sterling, especially in the run up to last Christmas."
The exchange rate between the pound and euro reached parity in 2008, prompting many people in the Republic to take advantage and shop in Northern Ireland.
As well as increased overnight trade for hotels, the hospitality sector in general also did well.
The Belfast figures show that 52% of the visitors' spending went to restaurants and hotels and this rose to 74% for conference delegates and 76% of other business visitors.
As memories of strife-torn streets recede, the survey also showed 67% of all the people who visited Belfast in 2008 were doing so for the first time.
The 2009 Irish Budget in October last year also increased the volume of trade going to 'the North'.
A bonanza for border businesses was correctly predicted after the Finance Minister Lenihan's attempt to balance the Irish Republic's economy.
NI traders saw a run on cigarettes (up 50 cents a packet) and wine (also up 50 cents) as well as many other goods as the strong Euro combined with price differences to increase an already healthy trade from Irish shoppers last Christmas.
Alcohol in general, sweets and furniture were already particularly popular with the day-trippers.
A massive increase in people doing their weekly grocery shop in NI was also noted as 2008 came to an end.
Shoppers from Dundalk, Drogheda and even Dublin flooded the likes of The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry, where Sainsbury's said that 30% of its trading was already in Euros.
See: Border Budget Bonanza For NI
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2001
Euro currency booklet launched
The Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants and the Northern Ireland Euro Preparations Forum have joined forces to issue a booklet which examines the key Euro currency issues for the local business sector.
Euro currency booklet launched
The Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants and the Northern Ireland Euro Preparations Forum have joined forces to issue a booklet which examines the key Euro currency issues for the local business sector.
06 June 2024
Trade Opportunities Must Be 'Seized And Maximised' – Murphy
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has called for all trade opportunities to be "seized and maximised" as he announced the launch of Invest Northern Ireland's international trade calendar of events and trade missions.
Trade Opportunities Must Be 'Seized And Maximised' – Murphy
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has called for all trade opportunities to be "seized and maximised" as he announced the launch of Invest Northern Ireland's international trade calendar of events and trade missions.
16 December 2009
Cross-border Shoppers Make Belfast Buzz
Last year, 800,000 shoppers from the Republic of Ireland spent an estimated £94 million in Belfast during the run up to Christmas.
Cross-border Shoppers Make Belfast Buzz
Last year, 800,000 shoppers from the Republic of Ireland spent an estimated £94 million in Belfast during the run up to Christmas.
27 July 2005
London bombings could affect Belfast retail trade - UU academic
The London bombings could have a disastrous effect on the retail trade across the UK including Belfast, a leading academic has claimed.
London bombings could affect Belfast retail trade - UU academic
The London bombings could have a disastrous effect on the retail trade across the UK including Belfast, a leading academic has claimed.
21 April 2004
Over 5 million tourists visit Belfast in 2003
Over five million people visited Belfast last year, according to latest statistics. According to figures released today by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), the number of out of state visitors staying overnight in Belfast also rose by 25% to 713,000.
Over 5 million tourists visit Belfast in 2003
Over five million people visited Belfast last year, according to latest statistics. According to figures released today by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB), the number of out of state visitors staying overnight in Belfast also rose by 25% to 713,000.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
