Northern Ireland’s leading hotel collection, Hastings Hotels, is to become Visit Belfast’s first corporate partner.
This new partnership will combine the shared aims and objectives of the two organisations in growing tourism business to Belfast and contribute to doubling the value of the city’s tourism economy by 2020.
As part of the Visit Belfast Corporate Partnership scheme, Hastings Hotels will be recognised as a lead partner and contributor across Visit Belfast’s leisure and business tourism promotion including selected campaign advertising and conference sales activity.
Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “We are delighted to become Visit Belfast’s first Corporate Partner and look forward to aligning our marketing efforts to ensure Belfast continues to remain a popular leisure and business destination, both at home and abroad.
“As a founding member of the then Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau, we have enjoyed a successful relationship with Visit Belfast.
“The Hastings Hotels Group has worked tirelessly in developing Belfast and Northern Ireland’s tourism offering, investing in our portfolio whilst providing a high percentage of employment within the hospitality sector. It is our vision that this corporate partnership will strengthen our efforts in driving visitor numbers and spend to the city.” Julie added.
Welcoming the corporate partnership agreement, Visit Belfast’s Chairman, David Gavaghan said:
“Vision and partnership with tourism agencies and businesses have been key to Belfast welcoming an ever increasing number of visitors to the city over the last 16 years.
“Whilst we have invested collaboratively in the marketing and promotion of Belfast as a vibrant city-break and conference destination, the Hastings Hotels Group has continually invested in their properties, determined to provide world-class facilities and services. The many synergies between our organisations provides a strong foundation to deliver growth and reach the ambitious tourism target set by central and local government”.
Belfast’s tourism economy is estimated at £453m. The target is to double tourism revenue by 2020.