TOURISM in Northern Ireland rose by almost 70 per cent last year, according to figures issued yesterday. There was a huge increase in the number of holiday makers from Britain, the Republic, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
A total of 1.5 million visitors came to the North last year - up a fifth on 1994 - and they spent £214 million. Holiday makers accounted for 460,000 visitors, up 67 per cent on the previous year, while over a million people came on business or to see family.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board figures were described by the Economy Minister, Baroness
Denton, as "staggering". She said it was particularly encouraging that 90 per cent of visitors wanted to come back, "proving that in addition to coping with the huge surge in numbers, the tourist industry delivered the type of quality service that guarantees repeat business".
Holiday makers from Britain rose by 70 per cent and those from the Republic by 68 per cent. The number of overseas tourists to the Republic who crossed the Border increased by 46 per cent.
"This is crucial," Baroness Denton said. "Especially when you consider that almost six out of 10 US visitors entered Northern Ireland via the South."
On average, visitors spent 5.5 nights in the North. North American and Australian/New Zealand visitors were up 53 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
The IRA bombing of Canary Wharf last month caused a slight decrease in tourist inquiries, according to the board.
However, the board said that this "temporary dip", had largely been erased and it was "cautiously optimistic" about the year ahead.