Travel News April/May 2022


Launch of New Integrated Strategy for NI Business Events


Ireland by 2030. In fully implementing the strategy it is estimated that the business events sector in Northern Ireland could generate an additional £209 million in direct economic impact and up to 2000 new jobs by 2030.


Key recommendations of the strategy include strengthened marketing and branding and a stronger sales presence in key markets; a brand strategy for business events marketing and communication; better synergies between business events and economic development organisations; a sectoral approach to sales activity; greater presence in international markets and more investment in research.


The strategy also sets out the roles of the agencies


involved in delivering business events to Northern Ireland and how they will interlink to deliver on the goals outlined.


Chair of the Business Events Steering Group Conal Harvey said; “The research findings uncovered in this report will


play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of Northern Ireland’s business events in a period of uncertainty and recovery. The success of this strategy will lie with all the partners and industry throughout Northern Ireland and it will require focus, continued and enthusiastic collaboration and appropriate investment. “As the sector reopens, competition will be greater


T


OURISM Northern Ireland, Visit Belfast and Visit Derry have joined forces with a range of organisations including Invest NI, ICC Belfast,


Queen’s University and Ulster University to launch a new integrated strategy for business events in Northern Ireland.


Business events attract high spending visitors throughout the year and play an important role in a balanced tourism portfolio attracting conferences,


meetings and business and incentive programmes which bring benefits across Northern Ireland. In 2019, the last year for which full statistics are available, they generated £37 million of direct expenditure for the Northern Ireland economy, 3.7% of all visitor revenue in a £1 billion tourism industry. The strategy is seeking to double the number of international conferences hosted annually and attract three times the number of delegates from the UK and


Discover New England Welcomes Newest Member Vermont


DISCOVER New England has welcomed the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing as a member. All six states in the region are now part of the Discover New England destination marketing organisation. These are Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Regardless of when you visit, Vermont has attractions


and destinations in spades in all four seasons. Want to play outside? Many of the ski resorts that dot the Green Mountain State have tons to offer (yes, even in spring, summer and fall – ever been ziplining, or adventured in


the treetops?) When it’s hot, Vermont’s lakes, rivers and recreation


trails beckon around the state. Vermont’s museums, galleries, artisan shops and factories are always opening their doors to curious visitors, showcasing uniquely captivating history and locally handcrafted products. Vermont is also home to world-class shopping, award-winning restaurants and farms to explore, and jaw-dropping views that’ll have you talking about them for days.


than ever. Equipped with the knowledge and insight gained from this report we are confident that Northern Ireland and its cities has the energy, the product and the giant spirit needed for continued success in business events. I look forward to seeing the strategy being implemented in full and the long lasting benefits felt across the country”.


NI Travel News in Attendance


at The Globes 2022 ON the 15th March 2022, Jonathan Adair, Director of NI Travel News attended Travel Weekly’s Globe Travel Awards 2022. Hosted by Jet2holidays, he enjoyed catching up with


industry colleagues and celebrating the achievements of all the winners! The Team at Travel News would like to pass on congratulations to all the well deserved winners of the evening!


TRADE NEWS 49


Welcoming the business events strategy Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said; “The importance of business events to our tourism economy should not be underestimated. Northern Ireland is competing globally for visitors while at the same time diversifying our markets so that every possible source of new business is fully developed. It is recognised that business events are a crucial form of economic and intellectual engagement and becoming increasingly important in economic development strategies across the world which is why we need to be in the best possible position to win a greater share of this lucrative sector in the future.” Naomi Waite, Tourism NI Director of Marketing,


said; “While considerable progress has been made over the


last decade in attracting high spending business visitors to Northern Ireland, and the cultural programmes on offer to business visitors are very well received and expectations are exceeded, the strategy highlights a number of key challenges including perception of the destination and ease of access. There is also more work to be done on converting interest in holding a business event in Northern Ireland into increased sales” “Tourism NI looks forward to working in partnership


to deliver on the recommendations of the strategy which comes at a critical time in rebuilding our industry. In particular we look forward to providing strategic leadership on an overarching brand for business events as well as capacity building, and on engagement with key partners to pursue opportunities”. To view the Business Events Strategy in full visit: ni-business-events-integrated-strategy-2030.pdf (tourismni.com)


NI Travel Agents Amongst First to Explore Newest Sliversea Ship


SANDRA Corkin and Julie-Anne Vaughan were amongst the travel trade onboard the brand new Silversea ship Silver Dawn. Docked in Portimao, Portugal, agents were treated to the first glimpse of hospitality onboard the stunning ship which becomes the 10th addition to the cruise company’s fleet. Silver Dawn will set off on its inaugural voyage on 1st


April 2022, where customers will be treated to a 7 night cruise from Lisbon to Rome.


Hurtigruten Strengthens Partnership With Metropolitan Touring


HURTIGRUTEN Group have announced that they have acquired a significant minority stake in Metropolitan Touring, one of South America’s leading travel companies and pioneers in the Galápagos Islands. The long-term investment sees Hurtigruten Group


take a 24.9% share in the company with headquarters in Quito, Ecuador, and further demonstrates Hurtigruten Group’s global growth ambitions in the adventure travel market. CEO of Hurtigruten Group Daniel Skjeldam stated


“This investment signifies our growth journey and we are delighted to invest in Metropolitan Touring, a proud South American company that mirrors our expedition heritage and sustainability values. It is a unique opportunity for us to contribute to a more meaningful partnership, where we can expand quickly, strategically and deliver on our vision for the future together.” The strategic partnership broadens Hurtigruten


Group’s portfolio of products in iconic, natural destinations, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable adventure travel.


“Hurtigruten Group share our passion for the wonders of South America and we are excited by the


prospect of this partnership which brings together two companies that have a common long-term vision of our industry’s power to do good in the world. As we continue the post-Covid recovery, this announcement will bolster South America’s position as an exciting travel destination on the global stage, bringing its stunning natural and compelling cultural attractions into sharper focus for today’s responsible traveller,” Metropolitan Touring CEO Paulina Burbano de Lara commented. Hurtigruten Expeditions is offering year-round expedition cruises, in close cooperation with Metropolitan Touring, visiting the fabled archipelago’s most spectacular sites on board the 90-guest Santa Cruz II.


Guests can explore spectacular land-based South


America adventures before or after their voyage, such as the iconic Machu Picchu, the Cotopaxi national park and the vibrant city life of Quito. The strengthened partnership will broaden opportunities to further expand into more unique land-based programmes and excursions. For more information, please visit https://www. hurtigruten.co.uk/


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