Tourism Ireland: New York launch for Belfast International Arts Festival

The event - which was an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland and Belfast - was attended by influential American arts and lifestyle journalists, as well as representatives of the travel trade and businesses in New York. Footage from previous festivals was shown during the evening and, to provide a "taste of Northern Ireland" for the guests, the food and drinks were co-ordinated by New York's award-winning bar, the Dead Rabbit, which is owned by two Belfast men.

Belfast International Arts Festival is one of the many festivals being promoted by Tourism Ireland around the world this autumn, particularly to our important 'culturally curious' audience.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland's Head of North America said: "We were delighted to co-host the New York launch of this year's Belfast International Arts Festival. Events and festivals like the Belfast International Arts Festival are a really important part of our overall tourism offering and are a key message in our promotions of Northern Ireland around the world - particularly to our 'culturally curious' audience.

"In 2016, we welcomed a quarter of a million North American visitors to Northern Ireland and the most recent figures for 2017 confirm growth of +31% in the first quarter. Tourism Ireland is determined to ensure that growth continues and we are rolling out an extensive programme of promotions throughout the remainder of 2017, to highlight Northern Ireland here in the United States and elsewhere around the world."