Tourism

Overview

As highlighted in the table below Newry and Mourne was the eleventh highest District Council (of 26 District Councils in NI) tourism revenue area in Northern Ireland in 1998. This is a drop on 1997 figures.

Source: Research Department, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB)

The Revenue of £7.4m in 1998 representing 2.3% of the total Northern Ireland spend on tourism can be further analysed in terms of trips, nights and revenue over the ten years ending December 1998 as illustrated in the table below:

Newry & Mourne Tourism Trends 1989 - 1998

(Source: Research Department, NITB)

It should be noted that day trips are NOT included in the above statistics. The tourism figures include all out of state visitors to Northern Ireland, visiting for any reason (holiday, business, visiting friends and relatives), and staying for at least one night. Added to this are Northern Ireland residents on holiday at home.

It is widely accepted as highlighted in the latest Report on the potential benefits of peace in Ireland from economist Alan Gray of Indecon, titled "The Economic Consequences of Peace in Ireland" that the main industrial sector beneficiary of peace over the next three to five years will be the tourism industry. In his article, Alan Gray predicts that there will be 117% increase within two years in pure holiday visitors attracted to Northern Ireland and a 43.8% increase in tourism holiday visitors in the Republic of Ireland. These kinds of economic improvements are unprecedented in this part of the world.

The potential for improvement in the tourism industry in Northern Ireland after 25 years of bad publicity was always obvious. Until now, tourism represented only 2% of Northern Ireland's GDP, compared to 7% in the Republic of Ireland.

The number of enquiries at Newry Tourist Office in Summer 1999 is summarised below:

There are currently 102 hotel bedrooms and 246 hotel bed spaces in the Newry & Mourne Council area. Current NITB statistics (15 April 1997) confirm that there are 8 Guest House premises in Newry & Mourne offering 44 bedrooms and 96 bedspaces. 71 premises within the Newry & Mourne area are registered as bed and breakfast facilities offering 184 bedrooms and 390 bedspaces. There are 26 self-catering premises in Newry & Mourne Council area offering 102 bedrooms and 238 bedspaces. In respect of Youth Hostels, there are two within the Newry & Mourne Council area, offering 10 bedrooms and 54 bedspaces.

The local tourist information offices can be contacted at the following numbers:

Canal Court Hotel

A new magnificent 51 bedroom Canal Court Hotel (Tel No: 028 30251234) commenced trading at Merchants Quay, Newry in February 1998 and was officially opened by the NI Environment Minister Lord Dubs on 24 March 1998. The Canal Court Hotel offers the highest standard of international hotel facilities with all bedrooms having en-suite facilities. Modern conference facilities are also available and the hotel offers excellent leisure facilities including a multi-purpose leisure complex incorporating a swimming pool with panoramic views over Newry. The Canal Court Hotel was awarded the NI Accommodation Hotel of the Year at the British Airways/NITB Tourism Awards held at the Waterfront Hall on 4 November 1998.

Other Hotel and Tourist Accommodation

The Mourne Country Hotel (Tel No: 028 30267922) located on the Belfast Road, Newry recently completed a major refurbishment of its 43 bedroom hotel facility. In addition the Francis Court Hotel (Tel No: 028 30266926) has 13 bedrooms and there is a variety of other accommodation in the immediate area.