John
06-08-2010, 05:50 PM
Visitor numbers from Great Britain declined by 8% at the start of this year, Northern Ireland's Tourism Minister has said.
The number of sightseers across the world has fallen and volcanic ash flight disruption will also have affected the market, Arlene Foster added.
But she hoped the expansion of ferry services from Co Antrim to Scotland would eventually improve the figures.
"The start to 2010 has been extremely difficult in terms of overseas visitor numbers, and a general fall in tourism worldwide is obviously at play, but that was compounded if you will by the whole volcanic ash issue," she said.
Between January and March this year visitors from Great Britain to Northern Ireland declined by 8% compared to the same period last year, the minister confirmed during questions at the Assembly. "That obviously is very concerning," she added.
"It is becoming clear to us that whilst air access is very important to our tourism and indeed I continue to have discussions with the George Best Belfast City Airport and indeed with the International Airport in relation to new routes we do also need to very much look at our access links between ourselves and the mainland in respect of ferry links.
"Belfast's role as a gateway and beyond, and indeed Larne's role as a gateway as well, I think will be enhanced by Stenaline's plans for the future, what they are doing in relation to the port of Larne and indeed what they are doing with their new port facility in Loch Ryan (near Cairnryan) in Scotland, which when it is introduced and fully operational will allow new, larger, modern ferries to give us an even faster time between ourselves and Scotland."
Despite the latest gloomy news domestic tourism figures increased significantly in 2009 and have grown again this year, the minister said last month. The trend generated a £30 million boost in January and February.
She said the current economic climate prompted an increase in the number of stay-cations as holidaymakers decided to stay in Northern Ireland rather than travel abroad.
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) showed during 2009, the total number of trips taken by Northern Ireland residents at home grew by more than a third (34%) compared to the previous year, driven by an increase in short breaks. This pattern continued into 2010, as the number of trips taken by Northern Ireland residents increased by 44% when compared to January-February 2009.
The number of sightseers across the world has fallen and volcanic ash flight disruption will also have affected the market, Arlene Foster added.
But she hoped the expansion of ferry services from Co Antrim to Scotland would eventually improve the figures.
"The start to 2010 has been extremely difficult in terms of overseas visitor numbers, and a general fall in tourism worldwide is obviously at play, but that was compounded if you will by the whole volcanic ash issue," she said.
Between January and March this year visitors from Great Britain to Northern Ireland declined by 8% compared to the same period last year, the minister confirmed during questions at the Assembly. "That obviously is very concerning," she added.
"It is becoming clear to us that whilst air access is very important to our tourism and indeed I continue to have discussions with the George Best Belfast City Airport and indeed with the International Airport in relation to new routes we do also need to very much look at our access links between ourselves and the mainland in respect of ferry links.
"Belfast's role as a gateway and beyond, and indeed Larne's role as a gateway as well, I think will be enhanced by Stenaline's plans for the future, what they are doing in relation to the port of Larne and indeed what they are doing with their new port facility in Loch Ryan (near Cairnryan) in Scotland, which when it is introduced and fully operational will allow new, larger, modern ferries to give us an even faster time between ourselves and Scotland."
Despite the latest gloomy news domestic tourism figures increased significantly in 2009 and have grown again this year, the minister said last month. The trend generated a £30 million boost in January and February.
She said the current economic climate prompted an increase in the number of stay-cations as holidaymakers decided to stay in Northern Ireland rather than travel abroad.
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) showed during 2009, the total number of trips taken by Northern Ireland residents at home grew by more than a third (34%) compared to the previous year, driven by an increase in short breaks. This pattern continued into 2010, as the number of trips taken by Northern Ireland residents increased by 44% when compared to January-February 2009.