Boom times ahead for ulster hotels

By Angela Jameson

Northern Ireland will need 2,500 more hotel bedrooms to cater for the projected growth in visitors over the next five years, claims a report on market opportunities in the province.

The Irish Trade Board report forecasts a 71% increase in visitor numbers from 1.29m in 1994 to 2.2m by the end of the decade.

This represents a major opportunity for Irish hotel and tourism suppliers, it says.

The Irish Trade Board anticipates a leap of 15% in the number of business visitors to Northern Ireland in 1995, and a growth of 3% a year thereafter.

On the basis of current hotel usage, an additional 2,500 hotel rooms or 62 new hotels would be required to meet the growth. This would entail an investment of more than £100m in the province.

If trends match those in the Republic, the province will require three new four- to five-star hotels, 16 new three-star hotels and 43 two-star or other hotels, says the report.

However, the Irish Trade Board warns that after initial curiosity visits, the province will have to compete with other holiday locations if it is to achieve significant growth.

Quick improvements will therefore need to be made to the quality and availability of accommodation if growth is to meet predictions, the report adds.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) welcomed the report and said the figures were good news for the province. They echo the NITB's own forecasts, he said.

He added: "The difficulty we face is making sure every sector of accommodation is catered for. Once we've seen how things develop, we'll be able to pinpoint what is needed more closely."

The Irish Trade Board report, Supplying the Tourist Industry in Northern Ireland, costs £50. It can obtained from: 00 3531 269 5011.