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.