One of the world’s longest established and most influential travel publications has labeled the Titanic centenary commemorations in Belfast as the “world’s biggest tourism story in 2012”. Fodor’s Ireland 2012 has dedicated an unprecedented eight pages of its guidebook to the Titanic, two of which focus on Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition which is set to open on March 31st.
The book features two pages on Titanic Belfast, which it describes as a ‘Top Attraction’, and a six-page colour photograph ‘spotlight special’ on the Titanic, covering its history and the special centennial events set to take place. The section also includes information on the Titanic Quarter development and on touring the landmarks associated with Titanic, such as Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House and the Slipways.
Fodor’s Ireland has also named Belfast as one of the top 21 places in the world to visit in 2012.
Travel journalist Paul Clements, a contributing writer to Fodor’s Ireland, said:
“The New York editor of Fodor’s Ireland 2012 believes the Belfast commemorations of the centenary of the Titanic will be the biggest tourism story in the world in 2012 – even bigger than the Olympics as far as the US market is concerned. That is quite an endorsement from one of the most respected and long-established travel guidebooks in the world – one which is a major influencer amongst US tourists when choosing holiday destinations.
“It is most unusual for a guidebook to dedicate as many as eight pages to the coverage of one topic, but this reflects the scale and depth of interest throughout America and the rest of the world in the Titanic story. The book has already hit the shelves in the US and tourists there will no doubt be reading up on Titanic Belfast and planning their trips to Northern Ireland.”
Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:
“We always knew the Titanic story was a truly global one which has captured the imagination of people around the world and the extensive coverage in Fodor’s, coming so soon on the back of National Geographic naming Belfast in the top 20 places to visit in 2012, is further evidence of this.
“Belfast will open its doors to the world more than ever before this year and we are looking forward to Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic experience, being the focal point for international visitors. We have already sold over 40,000 tickets, including to people in the US, Australia and Canada, and the excitement really is starting to gather pace as we approach the official opening on March 31st.”
Fodor’s Ireland is the second best seller in the Fodor’s range (50,000 per year), which includes more than 300 titles around the world. It is owned by the world’s largest publishing firm, Random House, and is revised annually by local writers – one of the few international guidebooks to reprint each year.
Siobhan McCauley, Director of Product Development at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said:
“Titanic Belfast and the whole range of commemorative events and celebrations in Northern Ireland across 2012 is set to provide huge positive lift and excitement. This latest accolade from Fodor’s will give another boost to our focused efforts to make 2012 an outstanding success story for tourism, and deliver more jobs and revenue for Northern Ireland. It is also a very welcome addition to a growing list of travel endorsements that have recently appeared in major international publications nominating us as a ‘must see’ destination.
“Our hope is that people throughout Northern Ireland will also be inspired by what we have already announced to reach out to family and friends abroad and encourage them to come here or come home in 2012 to experience the very many exciting events and attractions that we now offer visitors.”
