ULSTER TOURISM' S 20,000 JOBS BID
Ulster tourism's 20,000 jobs bid
TOURIST CHIEF: Roy Bailie
AN expanded tourist industry could create 20,000 new jobs in Northern Ireland over the next five years, according to tourist chiefs.
The terrorist bombing of Omagh and marching season disturbances this summer are likely to leave the numbers of overseas visitors to Northern Ireland in 1988 at about the same level as last year.
But visitors from America and Australia have significantly increased, and the Province's tourism leaders expect a substantial increase in visitors over the next few years.
"We reckon tourism will generate �285 million of revenue by the year 2000 and tourism could create 20,000 new jobs over the next five years," said Roy Bailie, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
"Australian visitor numbers have gone up 39 per cent between 1995 and 1998 and the American market is up 18 per cent in 1998 alone," said Mr Bailie speaking in Marbella, Spain, at the Association of British Travel Agents' annual convention.
Early next month Mr Bailie and the board's chief executive, Ian Henderson, will take a Northern Ireland tourism promoting roadshow to London and further promotions have been arranged in Paris, Vienna and Frankfurt.
Northern Ireland is likely to welcome about 1.4 to 1.5 million overseas visitors this year, with about 800,000 coming from England, Scotland and Wales.
TOURIST CHIEF: Roy Bailie
AN expanded tourist industry could create 20,000 new jobs in Northern Ireland over the next five years, according to tourist chiefs.
The terrorist bombing of Omagh and marching season disturbances this summer are likely to leave the numbers of overseas visitors to Northern Ireland in 1988 at about the same level as last year.
But visitors from America and Australia have significantly increased, and the Province's tourism leaders expect a substantial increase in visitors over the next few years.
"We reckon tourism will generate �285 million of revenue by the year 2000 and tourism could create 20,000 new jobs over the next five years," said Roy Bailie, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
"Australian visitor numbers have gone up 39 per cent between 1995 and 1998 and the American market is up 18 per cent in 1998 alone," said Mr Bailie speaking in Marbella, Spain, at the Association of British Travel Agents' annual convention.
Early next month Mr Bailie and the board's chief executive, Ian Henderson, will take a Northern Ireland tourism promoting roadshow to London and further promotions have been arranged in Paris, Vienna and Frankfurt.
Northern Ireland is likely to welcome about 1.4 to 1.5 million overseas visitors this year, with about 800,000 coming from England, Scotland and Wales.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/356
Published Date: 02-Nov-98
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