Northern Ireland looks forward to Titanic year for tourism
NI 2012 programme of events is good news for tourism in Northern Ireland… and ROI too
THE Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) today launched a momentous programme of events for next year that marks 2012, the centenary of the Titanic disaster, as potentially the most important year ever in its tourism history.
Speaking at the event, Northern Ireland Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said the unique programme of world-class events and activity taking place in Northern Ireland next year was also good news for the Republic of Ireland, with significant spin-off tourism benefits to be shared.
The ‘Your Time, Our Place – NI 2012’ campaign was launched at the Bank of Ireland building in Dublin today and promises to put Northern Ireland on the global tourism map with a number of historic events taking place.
Centre stage will be the opening of the world’s biggest Titanic visitor attraction in Belfast and the new Giant’s Causeway visitor centre, a series of high profile events including the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and celebrations such as the 50th year of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s.
The programme kicks off early, with the MTV European Music Awards this November providing a launch pad for the 2012 series of spectacular events.
Northern Ireland Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: “With so many outstanding events, celebrations, commemorations and capital projects coming to completion, this is our time and our place to turn the tide and confidently put Northern Ireland on the global tourism map.
“The Republic of Ireland continues to be one of our key markets with record numbers visiting Northern Ireland in recent years. I’d like to extend an extra special welcome to everyone during 2012 which is going to be an amazing, incredible year for Northern Ireland as we move confidently into a new future.
“So much has changed and we’re excited about sharing our brand new attractions and events with visitors from all over the world, and in particular with our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland where we know there is huge untapped interest in all things Titanic.
“We believe that 2012 is a momentous year in the history of Northern Ireland tourism, which in turn will have a significant spin-off benefit as many visitors to Northern Ireland also visit the Republic of Ireland.”
Arlene Foster added: “Almost £300 million has been invested in the tourism infrastructure in the last three years, including the £97million Titanic Belfast attraction, as well as the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, the Ulster Museum, the MAC, the Lyric Theatre and many others. Over 100 tourism-related capital projects, from the Mournes to the Glens and right across Northern Ireland, have been supported by NITB, through the Tourism Development Scheme.
“The stars have aligned. We have reached an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland on a local, national and international stage, and an opportunity to take tourism onto the next level.”
NITB Chief Executive Alan Clarke added: “2012 is undoubtedly a tipping point with regard to the future of tourism in Northern Ireland and offers us an unprecedented opportunity to build on the progress of the past decade and take our story to a global audience.
“To mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage, the opening of the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition in Belfast will give us a truly world class attraction that I believe will become a must see for ‘Titanoraks’ and tourists from all over the globe.
“This is just one highlight of the year ahead in Northern Ireland which is now well and truly on the world tourism map, as evidenced by the fact that MTV has chosen Belfast as the venue for its 18th annual European Music Awards in November,” he added.
“Along with the opening of a new visitor centre at our most popular tourist attraction, the unique Giant’s Causeway, we have a remarkable programme of historic events lined up, including the homecoming leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the world’s longest race, and the Peace One Day music concert, which will be the opening concert of the London 2012 Olympic Festival.
“And for lovers of art and culture, we have the 50th Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens, which will be three times bigger than any of its predecessors, not to mention an extraordinary series of coastal art installations by world renowned opera and theatre director Deborah Warner, commissioned by the Derry/Londonderry Culture Company 2013 for the Cultural Olympiad.
“The eyes of the world will be upon us in 2012 as we have an unrivalled opportunity to position ourselves as a world class destination. We must ensure that this momentum is carried forward into the future and we’re sure it will as already in 2013 Derry will be celebrating its City of Culture status and Belfast will play host to the prestigious World Police and Fire Games.
“The future is looking bright for tourism in Northern Ireland which is really positive news, not only for the economy in Northern Ireland but in the Republic of Ireland as well,” said Alan.
[ends]
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: A separate word document will contain more details on all of the key events taking place in 2012, as outlined in the Notes To Editor. For further information, please contact Michael Rafferty or Fiona Brown of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 048 9073 0880.
NOTES TO EDITOR:
1. This project has been created by the NI2012 Stakeholder Group, chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. It includes the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, a wide range of bodies in central and local government as well as representatives from the private sector.
2. Key events taking place:
April – May 2012
Titanic Belfast Festival 2012 – A fusion of International-scale events including a range of plays, tours, talks, films and major musical events.
Titanic Light Show – Lighting show at Titanic Belfast
MTV Music Event – Major outdoor music event (TBC)
Titanic : Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry – A verbatim play by Owen McCafferty
June 2012
Peace One Day Concert, Derry~Londonderry – International music concert marking the opening of London 2012 Festival and Paralympic Games
Land of the Giants, Belfast – Unique tales on an epic scale of NI “Giants” including Gulliver, H&W, Titanic and the Giant’s Causeway
A Coastal Installation by Deborah Warner, Derry~Londonderry – Major new living artwork co-commissioned by Derry-Londonderry Culture Company 2013 for the Cultural Olympiad
July 2012
Clipper Round The World Yacht Race and Maritime Festival, Derry~Londonderry – The Clipper Round The World Yacht race homecoming leg, welcomed by a four day maritime festival to celebrate the visit of the world’s longest race
September 2012
BBC Titanic Proms, Belfast – Celebration through songs and music (TBC)
Giant’s Causeway Visitor – Opening of new Visitor Centre
October – November 2012
50th Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s, Belfast – Dance, music, theatre, visual arts, film, classical and world music
NI 2012 – The little guide to big events
Click on the images to download – captions embedded in Photoshop