The Twelfth of July has the potential to become Northern
Ireland's major tourist attraction, and Orange Lodges across
the country have been playing their part in highlighting the
economic benefits of the event.
Each year, thousands of visitors attend parades and in so
doing they spend a considerable amount of money. The presence
of the Twelfth in one small town, it has been revealed, resulted
in £175,000 being netted by local businesses there on
the day.
Now in an effort to counter the negative publicity which
those who oppose our cultural expression seek to impose on
the Twelfth, statistics are being provided to back up the
assertion that the Orange parades bring economic benefit.
And given the numbers who participate and who watch, it is
clear that the Twelfth needs to be accorded its proper place
as one of Northern Ireland's premier festivals.
With this in mind, hundreds of Lodges and individuals have
responded to a survey launched by the Institution prior to
the 2004 Twelfth, and the results are currently being analysed.
Although the details are not being publicly released just
yet, it is already clear that there are major economic benefits
from the Orange demonstrations through the visitors which
they generate in many areas.
Aspects which are currently being analysed include how much,
on average, Orangemen spend on the preparations for the Twelfth,
as well as on the day itself.
The survey will also give a picture of the number of visitors
who come to view the parades.
And already it is clear that considerable monies go into
the economy whether to restaurants, shops or transport companies.
The call from Grand Lodge for assistance in providing a survey
met with an outstanding response.
Hundreds of individual replies and Lodge and District responses
have been coming in to the Orange Order headquarters at Schomberg
House.
The results of the major survey will be presented in a report
to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and other agencies.
Schomberg House even had assistance of a local council in
helping provide a pilot study of tourist potential in one
area.
And the final survey will show the side of the Twelfth which
sometimes goes without notice - the positive benefits to the
Northern Ireland economy.
Meanwhile, another positive development has been that the
Northern Ireland Tourist Board has just informed the Grand
Lodge of Ireland that it will be including details of the
2005 Twelfth in its brochures next year.
The move has been described as a welcome development by Grand
Master Robert Saulters, who said he was delighted that the
annual Twelfth parades would be featured.
The Grand Master said this would help inform tourists who
were in the province and wished to visit a Twelfth demonstration.
The NITB has also agreed to provide separate listings and
details of venues in its webpages, as well as the general
mention in tourist literature.
|
