Tourism

26.

Mr. Lock
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact of the tourism industry on the economy of Northern Ireland. [81308]

Mr. Ingram
During 1998, staying visitors in Northern Ireland contributed £217 million to the Northern Ireland economy, with an additional estimated £57 million from domestic tourism (totalling £274 million). This accounts for approximately 2 per cent. of Northern Ireland's GDP and sustains the equivalent of 14,750 full-time jobs in the industry.