The spotlight was on Belfast’s music and culture in Boston and New York last week, at events in both cities organised by Tourism Ireland. Representatives from Tourism NI joined Tourism Ireland – together with industry partners from Visit Belfast, Historic Royal Palaces, Adams & Butler, Taste and Tour NI and Titanic Belfast – to promote Belfast and Northern Ireland’s rich tourism and cultural offering.
The events began with a B2B workshop and networking session, which involved the Northern Ireland companies meeting with leading US travel professionals, to update them on all that is new and exciting for their clients to enjoy on a vacation in Belfast and Northern Ireland in 2023.
The highlight of each event was a special ‘Sound Out Belfast’ music showcase, with five Northern Ireland artists performing for the guests. The events – celebrating Belfast’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music – were hosted by Belfast-born actress Tara Lynne O’Neill (Ma Mary from Derry Girls) and curated by Emmy-nominated composer Hannah Peel, who composed and recorded the soundtrack for Game of Thrones: The Last Watch. Guests included over 100 leading music, travel and lifestyle journalists based in Boston and New York, who heard about Belfast’s rich musical heritage and its outstanding contribution to music.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to support this showcase of Belfast – celebrating the city’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and reminding our travel trade and media guests all about the many great reasons for US travellers to visit Belfast and Northern Ireland this year. The United States remains an extremely important market for tourism to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland – and music and culture are important elements of our overall tourism offering and a key message in Tourism Ireland’s promotions.”
