Senior economist backs Northern Ireland tourism

Northern Ireland has the chance to become a major tourism destination in the future, according to one of the people who helps the Bank of England set monetary policy.

Paul Fisher, one of the nine members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, told the Belfast Telegraph: "There's a tremendous opportunity to grow tourism.

"One of the things that struck me on arrival was that you have six per cent of the UK's land mass and only three per cent of the population... and you've got areas of outstanding natural beauty here."

Mr Fisher's comments came as he and his family enjoyed a holiday break in Belfast and on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

Visitors catching ferries from Liverpool to Belfast may, like Mr Fisher, be pleasantly surprised at what they find when enjoying a visit to Northern Ireland.

This year has already been a big one for Belfast as the city marked the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, the most famous ship ever built at its Harland and Wolff dockyard.

But while that anniversary has passed, there remains the Titanic Belfast attraction, opened earlier this year.

As well as being able to study how the vessel was built, learn about the social context of 1912 and see a computer generated re-enaction of the sinking, there is also the chance to take afternoon tea in the Titanic Suite, next to a replica of the ill-fated ship's Grand Staircase.

Outside Belfast, people visiting the countryside can enjoy walking in mountain ranges such as the Mournes and Sperrins, while the coastal scenery includes the famous Giant's Causeway, where a new visitor centre opened earlier this year.

The Causeway is owned by the National Trust and consists of 40,000 volcanic basalt columns, while other local features include an 11-mile coastal path.

Like Mr Fisher, it seems people can bank on having a good time when they visit Northern Ireland and discover its historic and natural treasures.

Posted by Mark Robinson
 

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