Welcoming the announcement, Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast, said:
“Diageo Northern Ireland has been a committed strategic partner of Visit Belfast for more than 15 years, helping to drive the significant growth in the city’s hospitality and tourism sector during this time, supporting jobs, skills development and innovation.
Visit Belfast welcomes this two-year funding package for its hospitality businesses at a time when they urgently need support and assistance. I would encourage all eligible businesses to register their interest as soon as they can.
Belfast’s pubs and bars are an integral part of our city welcome, our brand identity, our culture and our stories – they are a hallmark of our local and international tourism success.
Hospitality is vital in supporting thousands of jobs across the city region and Diageo Northern Ireland’s on-going support will help build a resilient, safe and sustainable future.”
More details will be announced by Diageo in July.
To register interest in the “Raising The Bar” fund log onto www.mydiageo.com
ENDS…//
Notes to Editors:
Diageo Northern Ireland has been a strategic partner with Visit Belfast since 2004, supporting tourism growth and the development of the city’s hospitality offer and its role to promote visitors to the city. Diageo Northern Ireland is also one of the region’s foremost exporters within the food and drinks sector.
Visit Belfast is a public/private sector partnership funded and supported by Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the private sector. It is the official destination marketing organisation for the Belfast City Region, dedicated to promoting Belfast as a short break, conference and cruise ship destination. It is also responsible for the operation of three gateway tourist information centres, including the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place.
Visit Belfast represents more than 550 tourism businesses across the sector including accommodation providers, attractions, conference venues and services, tour operators, transport providers, entertainment venues, retail, restaurants and cafes, pubs and clubs and event organisers.