Tourism Boost for Newry, Mourne and Down

Tourism Boost for Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has unveiled its ‘Giant Adventures’ Summer programme of festivals that will see four big events held enjoyed across the district from Strangford to Slieve Gullion; locations that will offer their beauty and majesty of lough, forest and mountain as a backdrop that will provide a major boost in tourism.

This year the incentives for repeat visits will be further enhanced with B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight becoming one of a ‘Big Four’ series of events, alongside Skiffie Worlds, Wake the Giant and Footsteps in the Forest spread across the all-important summer season.

The dramatic swoop and roar of aircraft above Newcastle on Saturday 6 August is set to deliver an equally dramatic summer season boost to local businesses and will thrust Newry, Mourne and Down to the forefront of the battle to build tourism numbers.

For the sixth year in succession the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flightwill be a major highpoint of the region’s ambitious events programme, attracting around 100,000 visitors in a single, high octane day, bringing an immediate cash injection estimated at £2.3M to the local economy.

Long after the vapour trails disappear and the roar of engines subside, the local tourism economy will continue to benefit, for independent research commissioned by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council consistently demonstrates that many of those who come specifically to enjoy the aerial spectacular return to enjoy the area at a more relaxed pace.

Skiffie World 2016 will start the summer of with a splash, bringing world championship rowing to Strangford and Delamont from 24-30 July as fifty colourful, community-built Skiffs take part in the international coastal rowing races.

The focus will then shift from sea to air as the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight delivers an unparalleled aerial spectacle in skies above the natural amphitheatre of Dundrum Bay on Saturday 6 August. Then it’s back to terra firma for two entirely new festivals reviving tales of myth and magic. Wake The Giant at Warrenpoint on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August will bring tall tales to new audiences, while Footsteps in the Forestat Slieve Gullion Forest Park over Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August will encourage visitors to discover the beauties of that woodland realm in the company of mythical characters.

Looking forward to the quartet of major events, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said, “The enduring success of the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight, now firmly established as one of Northern Ireland’s best attended and most exciting annual events, has inspired us to build a wider summer programme to reflect something of the breadth and diversity of our region’s tourism offer via a carefully-considered suite of large scale events. The strategic programme which we have revealed, represents a substantial investment by the Council, and reflects our commitment to providing creative and proactive support to this vital element of our economy.”

“Newry, Mourne and Down is a fantastically scenic and naturally beautiful area and everything we do must respect and protect the natural glories which are our prime tourism resource, but in today’s highly competitive travel marketplace, there is no room for complacency and we must constantly challenge ourselves to do more. In particular we recognise the important role which special events and attractions play in modern tourism which is why Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has devised and is investing in this major summer programme, enhanced by a variety of more modestly scaled activities across the region.  Quite literally, we aim to have something for everyone!”

Councillor Fitzpatrick continued “The hospitality and tourism sector is of vital importance to our region and we continue to support its growth and future development with a range of initiatives, from significant improvements to infrastructure to our creative events programme.  It’s a good news story for our local economy and good news, too, for all of us who enjoy a family-friendly day out in our own beautiful region!”

For the latest information about the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight visit visitmournemountains.co.uk;pick up one of the souvenir programmes available in the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre or in outlets across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, or call 028 4372 2222