VisitBritain’s largest annual travel trade event is to be held in Northern Ireland in 2020.
Belfast will stage the ‘Explore Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland’ event on May 18-20.
Hundreds of international buyers are due to attend to meet travel industry suppliers from across the UK.
Countries to be represented include Australia, France, Germany and the US as well as from Brazil, Canada, China, India and the Middle East.
Previous destinations to host the event, held annually since 2014, include Harrogate, Newcastle/Gateshead, Brighton, Liverpool and Ascot.
Tourism Northern Ireland chief executive John McGrillen said: “Winning this very prestigious bid to host VisitBritain’s premier travel trade event presents a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland and we are very proud that Belfast was selected from a competitive list of cities throughout the UK.
“More than 200 highly influential international buyers from more than 30 countries will experience the best of Northern Ireland’s tourism and hospitality offering next May and discover first-hand what the destination has to offer their international visitors.”
UK tourism minister Helen Whately said: “The tourism industry is one of our nation’s greatest strengths and its benefits are felt economically and socially in every corner of the UK.
“Belfast is a fantastic city and offers visitors from around the world a huge array of things to do and see. I’m delighted that VisitBritain’s flagship event will be hosted at the ICC Belfast to showcase the city and the UK on a global scale.”
VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “We are delighted to be bringing our flagship travel trade event to Belfast in 2020. From its world-class museums, iconic maritime history and stunning parklands to its thriving arts, music and culinary scene, Belfast is a fantastic destination to highlight the breadth and quality of our tourism offer to international buyers.
“Tourism is one of the UK’s most valuable export industries and also one of the most globally competitive, which is why ExploreGB and Northern Ireland is such a valuable business tool.
“It gives travel suppliers and destinations the chance to present their products to top global buyers, forge international business connections and ultimately inspire more visitors to book a trip to the UK, boosting local economies.”