Tourism NI chief John McGrillen has welcomed the Belfast Region City Deal
Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen has welcomed the significant investment in tourism announced under the Belfast Region City Deal and said: “The tourism investment announced under the City Deal is the next transformational step on our journey to establish Northern Ireland as leading tourist destination.
“Tourism has been a huge economic success story over the last decade, generating income in excess of £1bn, almost £740m of which was out of state earnings. Between 2012 and 2019 the sector grew by almost 50% and generated 13,000 new jobs across every part of Northern Ireland, double the job creation rate of any sector outside tourism and hospitality.
“This announcement allows us to add to the already well established, internationally recognised attractions such as Titanic Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway, through the creation of new world class attractions, and the upgrading of a number of existing attractions.
“It will help make Northern Ireland more accessible to visitors and encourage them to stay longer and spend more, ensuring that tourism can continue to contribute to a sustainable, regionally balanced and inclusive economy”.
“As the global tourism sector emerges from the devastating impact of the Covid pandemic, this announcement sends an optimistic and positive message to the international travel industry that Northern Ireland has an outstanding tourism offering, is open for business and is focused on future growth.”
