Belfast: An exhilarating experience-Offering Locals and Tourists the old and the new

Name one of the most visited places in Europe, well, except for the obvious places, London, Paris, Amsterdam etc…………. Belfast, not a name you would be expecting, but now, a city, on most travelers’ ternaries. When was the last time, as a resident of Northern Ireland, have you went to Belfast, to enjoy and delve into the cities immense culture and history, to this question, you might say, never or a few times, and this would relate to those who go out on a Saturday night to the various ranges of bars or clubs which the city has to offer, or just going to the George Best Airport to collect a friend or relative!!!!!.

Why Belfast?

Why not???? Might be the answer here. Since the end of the troubles, which brought disruption, conflict and destruction to the whole of Northern Ireland, but most notably in Belfast, the city has undergone a sustained period of calmness and growth.
Although the climate in Northern Ireland has never been a reason why tourists come to visit these shores, the rich mix of history, culture and increased modernization most certainly has.

Influx of Tourists

As the numbers tell, during January – December 2007 visitors to NI increased by 6% (+128,000) compared to 2006, During January – December 2007 visitors to NI increased by 6% (+128,000) compared to 2006., Overseas visitors (excluding GB and ROI) increased by 19% to 500,000, twice the number recorded five years ago in 2002. The most significant increase over 2006 was recorded in visitors from Europe (+27%) with North America (+12%) and Australia/NZ (+36%).

What attractions might Belfast have for tourists and locals to see, you might well ask? Well, there is no denying that for someone not from these shores, Belfast offers a very interesting insight into the troubles, for example, it is easy to hop into a black cab, situated in and around the city hall, and be mesmerized into the deep informative and culturally diverse area, which is West Belfast, in 1 hour, someone who knows nothing about the conflict which occurred here for 30 years, can get a good knowledge of what went on in these parts. This is not just for tourists, locals can do this as well, and be equally embroiled into the one of many interesting stories that the black cabbie will foretell, leaving the person to ask question to themselves as, oh that’s where that happened, or oh yes, that’s what that means.

One interesting aspect which has occurred recently is the ever changing face of the murals’ which are predominant in this area, there has been a view taken to change these, so as not to be too paramilitarised, with this in mind, there might not be no time like the present to see than the way they are now, which, is convening the history of the troubles.

Not just history

Although a very interesting part of Belfast, the troubles aspect is not the only thing interesting in this part of the world. Mixing old with new, the lavish setting of the Odyessy Arena, offers everything from food to sports, and is well worth a gander, Belfast castle, also, offers amazing views of the city, even if you don’t, fancy the walk up cave hill (but well worth the effort), Belfast bus tours, offering an more in-depth look at Belfast, and not just the political aspect, giving more information and history into the city.

If this is not good enough for you, then who not savor the tastes of the local cuisine, a good old Ulster Fry or Fish and Chips, but if your new years resolution was to hit the gym, then overindulgence in these will lead you to work a bit harder the next time you go there.
Another incredible aspect of Belfast is the amount of cosy little cafes and restaurants on offer, with all ranges of food’s catered for, leaving you to think, that I didn’t know Belfast had this on offer.

Whats for the future?

There is no doubt that Belfast is still a work in progress, with some parts still stuck in the early 70’s, as I heard someone say ‘Belfast reminds me of a city stuck in the 70s but with some degree of modernisation’ and this is no doubt the case.

This will undoubtedly change though, with the development of the Titanic quarter dramatically modernizing this area, as the Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie recently said ‘Belfast is in the midst of an amazing urban renewal. We have clear evidence of the peace dividend across the city centre – with normalisation, job creation and business growth fuelling a virtuous circle’. So with this in mind, locals and tourists have even more reason to visit this magnificent city and enjoy the range of activities which is on offer there, leaving them thinking that they will want to come back again, and again.

This article was published in the Tyrone Herald.February 2009.
For more information about Northern Ireland see:
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/opinion/Castillo/fantasma/elpepiopi/20091004elpepiopi_11/Tes/