§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest trends in the number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland. [2529]
§ Mr. AncramEstimates by the Northern Ireland tourist board suggest that some 1,385,000 visitors will come to Northern Ireland during 1996, contributing some £202 million in tourism revenue. Of these, around 345,000, or 25 per cent. will be holiday visitors. These figures represent falls of 11 per cent., 6 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively over the record levels of 1995, but all remain above 1994 pre-ceasefire levels.