A landmark visitor attraction that tells the story of the Titanic has generated an estimated £430 million of direct spending in Northern Ireland since it opened 10 years ago, a report has found.
The award-winning Titanic Belfast, which is now synonymous with the city’s skyline, has welcomed almost 6.5 million visitors from 145 different countries since opening its doors on March 31 2012.
The estimated economic assessment of the centre, which is built in the heart of Belfast’s regenerated docklands area, was outlined in a report by Deloitte commissioned to mark the 10-year milestone.
Titanic Belfast also used its birthday celebrations to announce a multimillion-pound refresh of the galleries that chart the history of the doomed liner from its construction in the city’s shipyards to its ill-fated maiden voyage in April 1912.
Judith Owens, chief executive of Titanic Belfast, said the £430 million of direct economic benefit only related to the spending of people who had come to the region specifically to see the attraction.
She said the centre’s indirect benefit to the economy would be much greater.
“As part of the 10th birthday celebrations, we are delighted to announce a multimillion-pound gallery refreshment programme which will deliver a world-class spectacle by combining innovative technology with the authentic Titanic story to deliver an enriched, emotive and immersive visitor experience which will sustain Titanic Belfast as a must-see global attraction for years to come,” she said.
“Since opening on Saturday March 31 2012, Titanic Belfast has gone from strength to strength and played a key role in the resurgence of tourism, not only for Belfast and Northern Ireland, but for the island of Ireland as a whole.
“In the last 10 years, we have firmly established ourselves on the local, national and international stage, winning a host of prestigious accolades including being named as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction.
“82% of visitors come from outside of Northern Ireland, demonstrating the important driver this iconic building plays for inbound tourism.
“Titanic Belfast has not only driven leisure tourism but has been fundamental in reinvigorating Belfast’s event industry as one of the city’s signature venues having hosted over 3,000 business and leisure events. We are firmly committed to preserving the authenticity of Belfast’s maritime and industrial heritage and in playing a pivotal role in the regrowth of local tourism post-pandemic, particularly as international travel resumes.”
Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of Maritime Belfast Trust, the charity owner of Titanic Belfast, said: “On behalf of Maritime Belfast Trust we would like to congratulate Titanic Belfast on reaching this 10-year milestone as well generating the local economic impact of £430 million.
“Located at the heart of Belfast’s Maritime Mile, it plays a key part in making our iconic waterfront a vibrant, accessible heritage destination.”
Following an international tender competition, OPERA Amsterdam and Studio Louter have been appointed to design and deliver the refreshment project at Titanic Belfast.
