North hotel trade boost after decrease in violence

HOTELS in the North are expecting a bumper year because of the absence of the vicious sectarian violence that marred previous summers.

Images of riot-torn streets and security forces manning barricades during the Orange standoff at Drumcree, Co Armagh, had resulted in the region becoming a virtual no-go area for visitors in previous Julys.

But hoteliers are predicting higher occupancy rates this year as the problems that plagued the North during previous marching seasons have gone.

Mo Durkan of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said she sensed a greater level of optimism this year among the hotel sector.

“They are seeing greater occupancy levels. The hotels are saying there is more business around than there has been in previous years,” she said.

This confidence is borne out by figures released by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) yesterday which showed the city has enjoyed its best July for many years.

During the month, the Belfast Welcome Centre had 34,086 visitors through its doors, an increase of 26% on last year, while hoteliers in the city experienced up to 20% growth in occupancy rates last month.

BVCB chief executive Gerry Lennon expressed delight at the latest figures.

“We are delighted to be announcing a significant increase in Welcome Centre visitor numbers in July, a month which too often has seen tourism dip across Northern Ireland.

“This year, there certainly seems to have been a very positive atmosphere around the city,” he said. Ms Durkan was in no doubt that the peaceful marching season was a significant factor in the increasing influx of tourists.

“This year has been particularly quiet and that helps us in confidence building. It makes it much easier to sell Northern Ireland as a tourist destination,” he said.

An annual survey showed that while the number of hotel bedrooms in the North rose last year by 7.5% to 5,696, the average occupancy rate at 54.1% was down on the 2001 rate of 55.6%.