Business

Belfast wins bid to host major travel convention in September 2023

Belfast's Assembly Buildings, which will host the 2023 UKinbound annual convention next September
Belfast's Assembly Buildings, which will host the 2023 UKinbound annual convention next September Belfast's Assembly Buildings, which will host the 2023 UKinbound annual convention next September

BELFAST is to host the 2023 UKinbound annual convention next September - an event likely to be attended by 300 businesses from the global travel trade.

It follows a successful bid by Tourism Ireland, Tourism NI and Visit Belfast, and the two-day conference - which brings together leading tour operators and buyers from all over the world including from the US, the Middle East and Asia - will take place in Belfast’s Assembly Buildings.

The convention will involve B2B workshops, industry discussions and networking sessions, and there will also be familiarisation trips for delegates to experience at first-hand the wealth of things to see and do in Northern Ireland, allowing the local tourism industry to build relationships and secure potential new business.

Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said: “It's a tremendous honour that Belfast has been selected as the venue for this prestigious convention, which confirms the city and Northern Ireland as a world-class destination.

Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons
Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons

“This annual convention, as well as the pre and post familiarisation visits here, present a superb opportunity to showcase the region to nearly 300 top global inbound tour operators and buyers, who deliver business from all over the world, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Northern Ireland in 2023 and beyond.”

UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft said: “We're beyond excited to announce that Belfast and its surrounding counties will be the destination of our annual convention next year.

“With unique and iconic attractions such as The Titanic Experience, Game of Thrones Studio Tour together with outstanding heritage sites such as Glenarm Castle and famous natural sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Giant’s Causeway in addition to fantastic food and drink – there is so much to see and do. We can’t wait to help showcase it to our members.

“The bid from Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast was outstanding and there is a real energy and enthusiasm to work with the UK travel trade and increase the number of international tourists to the city.

“I know that together we will organise and host an outstanding and special event for our delegates.”