Figures show NI visitors spending more

Image caption, The popular Game of Thrones fantasy drama has made the Dark Hedges in County Antrim a popular tourist attraction
  • Author, Julian O'Neill
  • Role, 大象传媒 News NI Business Correspondent

Tourist spending in Northern Ireland has increased by 5%, according to data from the Department for the Economy.

It has published statistics for the 12 months to June.

They show expenditure grew to 拢789m, but the total number of visitor trips fell by 3% to 4.5m.

However, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said the figures revealed that "visitors have, generally, been staying longer."

The data shows that external visitor markets - Great Britain and beyond - have been improving.

The weaker markets have been Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

But there is believed to have been a more recent surge in visits from across the border, a period not covered in the new data.

The pound's post-referendum slump is said to have boosted the tourism sector overall.

Hotel occupancy levels in August reached a record high.

"Tourism is an important sector for our economy," Mr Hamilton said.

"I intend to bring forward a new strategy later this year to work with the industry to build an internationally competitive and inspiring destination of which we are all proud."