INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES


� Belfast and Causeway Coast named number-one region to visit in the world in 2018 by Lonely Planet


� Belfast awarded the National Geographic Traveller Reader Award for Rising Star


� Belfast in Evening Standard’s top-10 hot travel destinations you should visit in 2018


“An eye-opening experience in the best possible way. Belfast has been coming into its own in the last few years, developing a vibrant restaurant scene, award- winning architecture and a new cosmopolitanism.” New York Times


“Northern Ireland blends centuries of history with an engaging modern vibe that shows time definitely hasn’t stood still. Mix in welcoming smiles and jaw-dropping vistas, and it all adds up to 10 travel experiences that simply can’t be had anywhere else.” National Geographic


series is giving the destination an edge over others. “Nowhere can tell the story of


the Titanic like Titanic Belfast, with its nine galleries,” she said. “And ‘Throneys’ are coming in


their droves to see 26 locations for Game of Thrones, as well as our themed marketing initiatives such as the ‘Doors of Thrones’ and the tapestry in the Ulster Museum.”


� Travel trade Tourism NI works closely with Tourism Ireland on travel trade marketing, fam trips and events, such as Celtic Connections – held in Glasgow in January – and Meet the Buyer 2018 in April, with hundreds


travelgbi.com


of key international travel agents and tour operators from more than 20 countries. “Our biggest platform is Meet


the Buyer, which brings operators from around the world and GB to meet the trade here in Belfast,” said Callaghan. “We are seeing unprecedented demand this year, up 33%, showing how we are getting cut-through – with more product for the travel trade, continued investment in hotels and accolades from publishers such as Lonely Planet.” Belfast will also host a major


international travel event in June – the Hosts Global Forum – with more than 100 leading destination


management companies and 100 top meeting and incentives buyers and planners. Later in the year, Belfast will see


more than 50 top travel influencers and tourism industry leaders gather for the Social Travel Summit (September 25-26). VisitBritain is sponsoring the summit, to promote the UK internationally, along with support from Tourism NI. It all adds up to a very optimistic outlook for tourism in Northern Ireland – despite the ongoing negotiations about Brexit and uncertainty about the border with Ireland.


tourismni.com April 2018 | TravelGBI 15


“Could this part of the coast be the UK and Ireland’s best-kept secret? This is a magical place.”


Wanderlust


“A raucous party town with a dynamic young population that keeps the city on trend, Belfast will invariably confound expectations. Its transformation from political pariah town to cosmopolitan metropolis continues apace, and as the Northern Irish capital continues to negotiate its relationship with its past, its eyes are firmly on the future.”


Lonely Planet


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