Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Part of Oral Answers to Questions – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:15 pm on 19 March 2013.

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Photo of Arlene Foster Arlene Foster DUP 2:15, 19 March 2013

The Audit Office set the target of 400,000 visitors a year, which it thought we would not meet.  With the year not even complete, we are now at 700,000, and the number continues to rise.  Titanic Belfast has been a game changer for tourism in Northern Ireland.  It has been a real catalyst.  When I speak to tour operators, whether in Germany, San Francisco or Dubai, they always talk about Titanic Belfast and the fact that it would be a key element of their visit to Northern Ireland.

Of all the figures available, and taking into account that the targets include the Great Britain, overseas, Republic of Ireland and domestic markets, we are broadly on track to meet the overnight visitor and revenue targets, so I do not see any need to revise them at this time.

Renewable Energy: Intergovernmental Agreement