Newcastle’s business community is hoping that the roar of jet engines will set tills ringing next month as the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight attracts around 100,000 visitors into Newcastle and the region.
Bouyed up by the positive impact of the Irish Open, local traders are optimistic that this latest tourism influx will spell more good news for the retail and hospitality sectors, giving summer trade an important mid-season boost.
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Helping the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight take off are some of the private sector supporters of the annual event staged by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. 100,000+ visitors are expected to flock to Newcastle and surrounding area to see the Red Arrows headline a free mega-air spectacular on Saturday 8 August, supported by a packed programme of entertainment at ground level. Pictured looking forward to the packed programme of entertainment with are, from left, Eddie Rowan from Tourism NI; Eimear McKay from Eclipse Cinemas; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie; Peter McVerry from media partner U105 which will be broadcasting live from the Festival and Michael Leatham from Eclipse.[/caption]
Shops, cafes and bars are looking forward to benefiting from increased footfall in the town, while caravan parks, B&Bs and hotels are already taking bookings for what is shaping up to be one of the busiest weekends of the season.
Looking forward to the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie, praised the region’s business community for ‘buying into’ the event and recognising its potential benefits. She said: “The Council’s sustained and substantial investment in this and other major events is part of our wider tourism strategy. As we have seen, and as research demonstrates, major events are an important facet of contemporary tourism, providing not only an instant boost to business but also heightening visitor awareness and prompting return visits.”
Cllr Bailie added: “While the action over the weekend of 7-9 August is undoubtedly focused on Newcastle, the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight spreads its benefits much further afield as many visitors enjoy scenic viewing points outside the town or choose to extend their Festival of Flight visits by taking in more of our superb attractions while they are in the area.
“Our business community grasps that concept fully and I have been extremely impressed to see that even small businesses are getting behind the Festival by proactively theming their own spin-off attractions and creating special deals and offers around this major annual event.
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The Hastings Duck is just quackers about the annual B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight. He is pictured perched on the wing of a vintage Spitfire, hearing all about the event programme from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie. [/caption]
“The Council is of course delighted once again to secure the support of Kilkeel-based aircraft seating manufacturer, B/E Aerospace, one of the region’s largest private sector employers, as headline partner, plus backing from Tourism NI. In addition and, despite what are still tough economic times for many, Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has championed the Festival across its membership and I particularly commend that organisation for working so hard to maximise and broaden the benefits of the event.
“The active involvement of a range of partners is of key importance, not least because small businesses have always been at the heart of Newcastle’s value-driven family-friendly appeal.”
The media partner for the event will be U105 which will broadcast live from the festival stage on The Promenade throughout the day on Saturday 8 August. Peter McVerry, U105 Station Manager, said: “We have a great line-up in store, with Frank Mitchell and Julian Simmons ready to descend on Newcastle to rev up the crowds while the aircraft are revving up their engines. It’s always a fantastic family day and we’re looking forward to U105 being at the heart of the fun.
“Great support has also come from The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa which will once again be the headquarters for ‘flight command’, and from Eclipse Cinemas in Downpatrick which has built its reputation on big screen entertainment. Michael McLaughlin, Assistant Manager at Eclipse, said: “For one great day we’ll be shifting the emphasis from the big screen to the big outdoors and we are delighted to support the aerial excitement in the skies over the natural amphitheatre of Dundrum Bay. I hope the public will also check in with our exhibition stand at the Aviation Village at Castle Park.”
Councillor Bailie concluded by saying that everything is in place to provide visitors to the region with a fantastic, great value experience and added “I know the region will give them an outstanding welcome. There has never been a better time for people to discover the attractions of this great area and there’s never been a better time for tourism to take off here.”
For further information or a FREE copy of the Festival programme please contact Newcastle Visitor Centre on 028 4372 2222 or full listings online at:
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