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
Latest Northern Ireland Features
14 November 2025
Ironside Trophies & Engraving Expands With New Donaghcloney Branch Under Third-Generation Leadership
Ironside Trophies & Engraving, a family-run business with nearly half a century of heritage in Northern Ireland, has launched a second retail branch at 44 Main Street, Donaghcloney. This significant milestone reflects the business’s sustained success and the continuing legacy of the Lyons–Tait family.
Ironside Trophies & Engraving Expands With New Donaghcloney Branch Under Third-Generation Leadership
Ironside Trophies & Engraving, a family-run business with nearly half a century of heritage in Northern Ireland, has launched a second retail branch at 44 Main Street, Donaghcloney. This significant milestone reflects the business’s sustained success and the continuing legacy of the Lyons–Tait family.
26 September 2025
Belfast Flavours Collective Cooks Up Partnership with ICC
As World Tourism Day 2025 is celebrated around the globe under the banner of 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation', Belfast Flavours members are celebrating serving sustainability and authenticity on World Tourism Day and every day by seizing the moment to showcase how its food, drink, and hospitality scene is leading the way in reimagining tour
Belfast Flavours Collective Cooks Up Partnership with ICC
As World Tourism Day 2025 is celebrated around the globe under the banner of 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation', Belfast Flavours members are celebrating serving sustainability and authenticity on World Tourism Day and every day by seizing the moment to showcase how its food, drink, and hospitality scene is leading the way in reimagining tour
11 September 2025
Culture Night Belfast Returns
Culture Night will officially return to Belfast on Friday, 19 September, with a fresh new look and a line-up of over 100 free, family-friendly events. The celebration, which is the first full event since 2021, will take place at various venues across the city from 4pm to 10pm.
Culture Night Belfast Returns
Culture Night will officially return to Belfast on Friday, 19 September, with a fresh new look and a line-up of over 100 free, family-friendly events. The celebration, which is the first full event since 2021, will take place at various venues across the city from 4pm to 10pm.
28 May 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.
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.
05 May 2025
Bank Of Ireland Issues Warning Over Holiday Booking Scams
With Bank Holiday weekends underway and the summer holiday season approaching, Bank of Ireland is urging consumers to be extra vigilant when booking accommodation to avoid falling victim to increasingly common scams.
Bank Of Ireland Issues Warning Over Holiday Booking Scams
With Bank Holiday weekends underway and the summer holiday season approaching, Bank of Ireland is urging consumers to be extra vigilant when booking accommodation to avoid falling victim to increasingly common scams.
16 January 2025
Tourism Sector Set For Growth With £2bn Target
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan aimed at boosting the sector's economic contribution to £2 billion annually by 2035. The plan, unveiled at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, outlines a strategy to enhance Northern Ireland's tourism offering and attract more visitors.
Tourism Sector Set For Growth With £2bn Target
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan aimed at boosting the sector's economic contribution to £2 billion annually by 2035. The plan, unveiled at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, outlines a strategy to enhance Northern Ireland's tourism offering and attract more visitors.
13 January 2025
Bitcoin In Belfast – Practical Applications For Locals And Tourists
Belfast is progressively integrating Bitcoin, giving more practical opportunities for residents and visitors to incorporate crypto into daily life. With emerging retail and community projects, the city has made a first step into a new era of payments. The adoption of Bitcoin by local businesses is expanding over time.
Bitcoin In Belfast – Practical Applications For Locals And Tourists
Belfast is progressively integrating Bitcoin, giving more practical opportunities for residents and visitors to incorporate crypto into daily life. With emerging retail and community projects, the city has made a first step into a new era of payments. The adoption of Bitcoin by local businesses is expanding over time.
18 December 2024
Paying Fast In Belfast - Six Quickest Payment Options For 2025
The rise in fintech and, in particular, cryptocurrency, has seen remittance times slashed. And, even if you aren't a cryptocurrency user yourself, the competition it has brought, and the increased uptake of the blockchain technology that powers it, means you are still likely to reap its benefits.
Paying Fast In Belfast - Six Quickest Payment Options For 2025
The rise in fintech and, in particular, cryptocurrency, has seen remittance times slashed. And, even if you aren't a cryptocurrency user yourself, the competition it has brought, and the increased uptake of the blockchain technology that powers it, means you are still likely to reap its benefits.
16 December 2024
Alternative Health Treatments in Northern Ireland
Other potential alternative health treatments that could be explored in Northern Ireland are the investigation of medical cannabis for the treatment of long-term pain and wellness.
Alternative Health Treatments in Northern Ireland
Other potential alternative health treatments that could be explored in Northern Ireland are the investigation of medical cannabis for the treatment of long-term pain and wellness.
02 December 2024
4 Corners Festival Announces 2025 Return
The annual 4 Corners Festival is back for another packed lineup of events next year.
4 Corners Festival Announces 2025 Return
The annual 4 Corners Festival is back for another packed lineup of events next year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.