According to the latest government figures visitors to the Northern Ireland are spending £2.7 million a day. The first nine months of 2017 as per the NISRA statistics revealed that the visitor spending in the north increased by 16 percent to £747m.
The NISRA statistics for the first nine months of 2017 revealed the spend by visitors to the north increased by 16 per cent to £747m.
Increased marketing activity by Tourism NI in the Republic, favourable exchange rates and events like the Irish Open contributed to a record breaking two million holiday trips taken during January to September.
There was a 4 per cent growth in overseas visitors and 12 per cent growth in the revenue. Between January and September Northern Ireland welcomed almost 1.7 million visitors, additionally 70,000 more than the same period last year.
There was a rise in the holiday visitors by 6 per cent and revenue from overseas visitor to Northern Ireland grew by 12 percent.
Tourism NI chief executive, John McGrillen stated that the figures are encouraging and Northern Ireland enjoyed overall growth from Great Britain, Europe and North America in the first nine months last year.
It was discovered that Northern Ireland residents took more staycations and visitors from the Republic of Ireland continued to be motivated by value for money and spent £18 million more than the same period last year with an increase of 45 per cent.
Northern Ireland as a holiday destination has improved demonstrably in the Republic but it still has a lower share of the overall holiday market. A continued marketing investment will be vital if they were to maintain and build on recent performance.
The encouraging tourism figures come as new plans to boost American tourist numbers on the island have been Tourism Ireland.
The strategy sets out ambitious targets which will have American visitor numbers grow by 23 per cent by 2021.
Tourism NI and Fáilte Ireland along with a wide range of industry partners, at home and in the United States developed it in close co-operation.
The market segments and opportunities which will drive strong growth from the US to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland over the coming four years had been identified.
Between 2012 and 2016 the US market is the second largest market for tourism with a 60 per cent increase in American holidyamakers leading to a 70 per cent rise in revenue.
The positive macro-economic conditions, direct flights , strong and effective sales and marketing was responsible for it.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said that he was confident they can deliver on the targets set out in the new strategy.
Tags: america, John McGrillen, Niall Gibbons, NISRA, northern ireland
