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Orangemen and their supporters spent an estimated £6.3
million on The Twelfth last year, according to a survey published
today by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
The survey, covering almost a third (29%) of the Orange Order's
123 Districts and almost one in ten (9%) of its 1,174 private
lodges, demonstrates clearly that the annual 12 July Battle
of the Boyne commemoration generates substantial economic
benefits for the whole of Northern Ireland.
Among the statistics revealed by the survey are:
- More than half of the Orangemen questioned (55%) bought
new clothes for the Twelfth spending an average of more
than £80 each
- The average spending by Orangemen on meals and refreshments
during the day was £27.50
- Average spending on travel to and from the various Twelfth
venues (mostly by hired coach) amounted to £12.53
per Orangeman
- Two thirds of the Orangemen surveyed (67%) bought items
from stalls at the 12th demonstration field, spending an
average of almost £12.50 each
The survey, the first of its kind, also hints at the considerable
benefits to the hotel and B&B sector from the Twelfth.
One in three of the Orangemen questioned (35%) hosted family
visitors from outside Northern Ireland for the Twelfth, with
an average of four visitors each - 79% of whom stayed in hotel
or B&B accommodation. Although the duration of visits
and rooms costs wasn't covered by the survey, these figures
suggest total accommodation spending by family visitors of
£1.47 million based on just one night's stay at £35
per person.
Commenting on the figures, a spokesman for the Grand Orange
Lodge said: "When the figures in this baseline survey
are applied across the whole Order, the total comes to £6.3
million and demonstrates quite clearly that the Twelfth provides
a huge boost to the Northern Ireland economy."
The Order points out that a number of factors, such as the
cost of ferry and air fares paid by non-Northern Ireland visitors
attending the Twelfth or spending by the thousands of spectators
watching the various parades, were not covered by the survey.
"On this basis, our total spending figure of £6.3
million pounds is almost certainly an under-estimate and the
real sum could be double that. We intend to repeat the survey
in future years in a more detailed form to establish a more
accurate picture".
The Order now plans to use the survey to persuade the tourist
authorities to market the Twelfth as a major heritage and
cultural event capable of attracting thousands of overseas
visitors to the Province with particular emphasis on Ulster-Scots
communities in other Orange Order jurisdictions such as Canada
and the United States.
"We accept that not everybody supports the Twelfth,
but anyone who's reasonable will appreciate that it is an
event followed and enjoyed by thousands upon thousands of
spectators and one which has yet to be fully exploited as
a tourist asset for the benefit of all the people of Northern
Ireland."
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