Record numbers visit Belfast

There were 43 conferences held in Belfast last year

More than five million people visited Belfast last year, according to the latest statistics.

There was also a jump of 25% in out-of-state overnight visitors on the previous year's number.

The Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau said tourists spent about £232m in 2003.

More than 710,000 tourists from outside Northern Ireland stayed overnight in Belfast, out of a total of 5.3 million visitors. The figure was 3.6 million in 2002.

The overall figure has also been bolstered by city breaks, cruise ship visits, day trips and business tourism.

There is also greater access from the UK, we are looking for greater access from Europe and the low-cost airlines and frequency of flights have also added to the increase in visitor numbers Gerry Lennon Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau

There were 43 conferences held in Belfast last year, bringing in 20,000 delegates.

Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau chief executive Gerry Lennon said the increase was phenomenal.

He told BBC News Online: "Year on year, the number of tourists is increasing. We can see the trend in growth - other cities are experiencing a growth of 2-3%, but we are in the twenties.

"The figures have increased by almost 100% since 1998-1999.

"This is down to a number of factors - growing confidence in the city, the image of the city is changing and we are aggressively marketing Belfast in key markets.

"There is also the curiosity factor in attracting visitors who have never visited Belfast before. There is also greater access from the UK, we are looking for greater access from Europe and the low-cost airlines and frequency of flights have also added to the increase in visitor numbers."

Hospitality industry

Nelson McCausland, chair of Belfast City Council's tourism and promotion of Belfast sub-committee, said the figures were excellent news for encouraging new developments in the tourism infrastructure.

"With the growth of new hotels, bars, clubs and eateries in Belfast, there is an increasingly warm welcome for visitors, encouraging further economic and social regeneration," he said.

Terry Loughins from Diageo, strategic partner of the Belfast Visitor Centre, said the figures were excellent news for the hospitality industry.

"Through our partnership with BVCB, Diageo continues to support the future development and business of our clients in the hospitality industry, many of whom look to tourism as their major growth area," he said.