![The Titanic Visitor Centre in east Belfast celebrate has had over 800,000 visitors in its first year](https://www.belfastdaily.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1710573_Titanic-Visitor-Centre-300x199.jpg)
The Titanic Visitor Centre in east Belfast celebrate has had over 800,000 visitors in its first year
THE First and deputy first minister have attended an event at Titanic Belfast to mark the success of the first year of operation of the world class visitor attraction.
The Ministers were attending the ‘Titanic Belfast One Year On Review’ which found that in its first year, the exhibition has attracted over 800,000 visitors from 128 countries across the world and generated millions of pounds to the Northern Ireland economy.
Welcoming the review’s findings the First Minister said: “The exceptional success of Titanic Belfast continues to exceed all our expectations.
“Visitor numbers in the first year of operation have reached over 800,000, making it the most popular visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.
“The direct benefit to the Northern Ireland economy through tourism expenditure has totalled £54.3million.
“The Executive has placed the growth of the economy and an increase in visitor numbers to Northern Ireland at the heart of its Programme for Government.
“There can be no doubt that Titanic Belfast has proved a world renowned attraction and an achievement of which we should all be rightly proud.”
The deputy First Minister added: “Titanic Belfast has drawn in almost 500,000 visitors to the city in 2012 and positioned itself as a key attraction in its own right as well as a key motivator for pulling in visitors to the city.
“Employment has grown as a result of Titanic Belfast’s worldwide appeal with an additional 970 full time jobs created in Belfast.
“Titanic Belfast has had a very positive impact on our economy with its visitors contributing an extra £27.2million to the city’s economy.
“A year on and we are building on the legacy of ni2012 through a series of events of international significance including a year-long feast of culture in Derry~Londonderry as City of Culture in 2013.”