28/05/2025

Visit Belfast Unveils Second Year Of Tourism Growth Strategy

Visit Belfast has launched the second year of its "New Horizons 2024-27" strategy, outlining collaborative plans to expand the city region's visitor economy and enhance its global standing as a premier destination for leisure, cruise, and business tourism. Building on extensive research and consultation with Belfast City Council, this multi-year roadmap aims for robust growth and resilience in the tourism sector. The 2025-26 plan introduces new priorities focusing on brand development, accessibility, sustainability, digital transformation, and partnership-led delivery. In its first year, Visit Belfast's efforts contributed £172 million to the city's tourism economy, a significant step towards its three-year goal of generating £424 million in economic impact and achieving a £30 return for every £1 invested. This success was underscored by Belfast's ranking as 9th globally in the Global Destinations Sustainability Index for 2024, the highest in the UK and Ireland, and recognition by TripAdvisor as one of the Top 10 Sustainable Destinations worldwide. Looking forward, Visit Belfast's success metrics will encompass not only economic impact but also social and environmental benefits, reflecting tourism's role in fostering a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for the city and wider region. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, lauded the new plans as "bold, targeted, and rooted in what makes this city so special," while Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Chair of Visit Belfast, emphasised a commitment to "doubling down on collaboration, creativity and inclusion to grow tourism in a way that works for everyone." The organisation's sales and marketing activities are projected to attract over 850,000 visitors, generate 450,000 bed nights, and handle 800,000 tourist inquiries, all while promoting environmental and social sustainability. Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland, highlighted Belfast's crucial role as a "gateway city" that drives international connectivity and regional tourism growth. The launch event at Titanic Belfast brought together over 250 industry partners and city leaders, showcasing the unified ambition within Belfast's tourism community. Visit Belfast's 2025-26 business plans are available to view and download at: www.visitbelfastpartners.com

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