Newcastle’s business community is hoping that the roar of jets above Newcastle on Saturday 9 August will bring an extra jingle to the tills this summer.
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Peter McVerry, U105; Amelia Earhart aka Country Singer Lisa McHugh; Cllr William Walker, Down District Council Chairman; Ann Moreland, NITB; and Mark Mohan, Senior Tourism Initiatives Manager, Down District Council are gearing up for the tens of thousands of visitors that are expected to touch down in Newcastle on Saturday 9 August.[/caption]
The B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight, organised by Down District Council, annually attracts more than 100,000 people to Newcastle bringing huge economic benefits to the seaside resort and surrounding areas.
Councillor William Walker, Chairman of Down District Council, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to this year’s B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight, now firmly established as one of Northern Ireland’s best attended and most exciting annual events. That’s a hugely significant, near instant injection of business into our local community, but the Festival is much more than a ‘one day wonder’.
“Research and experience show us that many of those who are attracted to visit Newcastle specifically for the Festival will either prolong their stay or will come back on another occasion to enjoy our other attractions. Council’s investment will continue to bring economic benefits long after the planes have returned to base.”
“The hospitality and tourism sector is of vital importance to our region and we continue to support its growth and future development with a range of initiatives, including an ambitious events programme.
“It is encouraging to see that our work, in this respect, is being actively and enthusiastically endorsed by key partners who give both financial support and valuable help in kind. Our thanks go to all those who have partnered with the Council to ensure success.”
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Susan Cromie (Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and The Avoca Hotel, Newcastle) and Claire Braniff (Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and Wraps, Newcastle) along with Down District Council Chair, Cllr William Walker are welcoming the boost the BE Aerospace Festival of Flight will bring to the town’s trade during the month of August and beyond.[/caption]
Support has flown in for the 2014 event: from headline commercial sponsorship from B/E Aerospace, the Kilkeel-based manufacturer of airline seats, to support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development; to backing from Translink, Belfast International Airport and media partner U105, plus the active involvement of local businesses such as The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa and Eclipse Cinemas.
Urging local businesses to capitalize fully on the opportunities which this huge scale event will bring to the area with special value deals, offers and incentives, Cllr Walker said: “There’s never been a better time to reinforce our reputation as a great value, family destination and I hope that, as the planes soar overhead, we’ll have soaring business at ground level too.”
For further information or a FREE copy of the B/E Festival of Flight Programme contact Newcastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 4372 2222 or see full event listings online at:
or www.facebook.com/DownFestivals]]>
