Tourism leaders, partners and stakeholders gathered at the Europa Hotel today (Tuesday 18 November) for Visit Belfast’s Annual General Meeting, where the organisation outlined its ongoing plans to drive innovation, sustainability and growth across the city’s visitor economy.
Chaired by Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Visit Belfast’s AGM brought together 200 representatives from across the tourism, hospitality and business sectors under the theme “Digital Innovation and the Future of Tourism.”
Addressing guests, Marie-Therese McGivern highlighted the organisation’s progress in delivering its New Horizons 2025–2028 strategy and reaffirmed Visit Belfast’s commitment to harnessing technology and data-led marketing to enhance Belfast’s competitiveness as a world-class destination. The AGM also looked ahead to a strong pipeline of opportunities, including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which will be hosted in Belfast for the first time, and several new hotel developments such as Tempo by Hilton, Aloft and Residence Inn by Marriott, YOTEL Belfast, and The Bedford, signalling continued confidence and investment in the city.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, opened the event, recognising the strength of partnership across the sector and Belfast City Council’s ongoing support for sustainable, inclusive tourism growth through the Belfast Region City Deal.
Visit Belfast Chief Executive Gerry Lennon said:
“Belfast’s tourism success is built on partnership, innovation and a shared belief in what this city can achieve, and that collaborative approach is what continues to set us apart. Working together with our industry partners, Visit Belfast delivered £172 million to the city’s tourism economy in 2024–25, a 19% increase on the previous year and well ahead of target for the first year of our strategy.
These results reflect not only the strength of our industry, but the ambition we share for Belfast’s future. As we move into 2026, our focus is on using digital innovation and insight to build deeper connections with our audiences, support sustainable growth and ensure that tourism continues to deliver real value for the city, its economy and its people.”