A delegation of more than 30 international journalists and editors arrived in Belfast recently to see and experience first hand the transformational effect that peace, greater political and economic stability, business, regeneration and tourism growth have brought since the Good Friday Agreement was signed two decades ago.
The event was facilitated by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and hosted by Visit Belfast with support from Tourism Ireland.
Journalists and broadcasters from more than 15 countries, including Japan, China, Australia, Turkey, Finland, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands were represented as part of the Foreign Press Association (FPA) delegation.
Belfast and Northern Ireland’s success in driving tourism growth, investment and economic return was a key theme during the two-day event, with the journalists visiting Titanic Belfast and Derry as part of their trip.
Welcoming the Foreign Press Association correspondents to the city, Visit Belfast chief executive Gerry Lennon said, “I am very proud that such a large and esteemed group of respected international journalists and editors from the Foreign Press Association travelled to Belfast to hear about our tourism renaissance.
“With focus, significant investment and a commitment from government and industry, Belfast and Northern Ireland is now a real contender on the global tourism map, successfully and confidently competing for visitors as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.”
Tourism now contributes around 6.6% of Northern Ireland’s GDP and up to 8% of its employment. In Belfast alone, the tourism sector supports more than 18,000 jobs.
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
