§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tourists(a) in vehicles and (b) as foot passengers passed through (i) Larne and (ii) Belfast ports in each of the last five years.[144267]
§ Mr. PearsonThe information requested on the number of tourists passing through the Ports of Larne and Belfast is not available in the form requested in the question
However, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's Passenger Survey provides some information on the number of tourists passing through the Ports of Lame and Belfast. The survey identifies visitors (non-Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland residents) who stay at least one night in Northern Ireland and exit via the Ports of Lame or Belfast. The survey does not break down the figures by foot and vehicle passengers. The results of the survey are provided in the following table:
Visitors staying at least one night in Northern Ireland and exiting via the ports of Larne or Belfast 1998–2002 Larne Belfast 2002 124,000 288,000 2001 101,000 357,000 2000 100,000 375,000 1999 121,000 375,000 1998 118,000 296,000