01st February 2012

Visitors who are travelling to Ireland this year should be given a proper welcome, the country's tourism minister has stated.

Launching a customer service training programme for the hospitality sector last week, Arlene Foster said that this year marks an exciting time for Northern Ireland tourism.

"With the NI2012 programme of events and top class visitor attractions opening, we have an unprecedented opportunity to put Northern Ireland on the map and to generate future tourism business," she commented.

"Hundreds of thousands of visitors will come here in 2012 and over the next few years. From the moment they arrive, to the transport services they use, and the places and attractions they visit, the customer-facing staff which they interact with all have the opportunity to shape our visitors' experience."

Employment and learning minister Dr Stephen Farry echoed Ms Foster's remarks by pointing out the varied programme of celebrations Northern Ireland will be hosting and getting involved in this year.

"With events around the Titanic anniversary, the Olympics, the World Police and Fire Games and the UK City of Culture in the North West, we project that the number of visitors to Northern Ireland will be very significant over the next few years. This is excellent news for the local economy," he added.

Meanwhile, a report by data analysts Mintel has revealed that domestic and overseas tourism in Ireland is flourishing because of the wide selection of events and festivals drawing visitors to areas that would not usually be seen as tourist hotspots.

In Northern Ireland, holidaymakers were most interested in attending pop and dance events (17 per cent), food fiestas (14 per cent) and film festivals (11 per cent), while on the other side of the border, visitors preferred countryside fairs (15 per cent) and events they could go to with their families (15 per cent).

Posted by Sophie Reynolds 

16th May 2012

British holidaymakers are being urged to take ferry crossings to Ireland and see what the Emerald Isle has to offer those on a camping or caravanning break.

According to Vanessa Markey, Tourism Ireland's head of Great Britain, camping and caravan holidays are a great way to explore the...