Agenda item

            The Director of Economic Development updated the Committee on the proposed programme for international events as part of the cultural strategy, A City Imagining 2020-30, and draft tourism plan.

            He informed the Members that a four-year implementation plan had been developed which included a programme of homegrown events with a targeted and strategic approach to international events to provide legacy for the city as well as a direct economic return, creating the conditions for long-term transformation of the city.

            He reported that, as Belfast had successfully bid to host the One Young World Summit in 2023, a funding package of £1M had been offered by the government, subject to full business case approval, towards the overall cost for the event, which was approximately £2.7M.  He added that, following the initial bid for Belfast to host the event, a contribution of £350,000 had been allocated from within the cultural investment programme, subject to Committee approval and that the remaining funding would come from income generation from the private sector, including fees and corporate sponsorship.

            He pointed out to the Committee that, as part of the bidding process in successfully securing Belfast as the designation of UNESCO City of Music in November 2021, the Council had set out a five-year plan in partnership with the music sector which focussed on sector development and civic participation and that there was an opportunity to complement those initiatives through international music events such as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

            He informed the Committee that the  Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was an annual event which encompassed a range of entertainment activities and was the most important event in the traditional music calendar.  He added that, although the initial outlay to secure the event was approximately £2.5 million, there were also significant opportunities for the host city to recoup the investment through partnership initiatives.

            He stated that, in line with the Cultural Strategy, draft Tourism Plan, UNESCO designation and recovery programmes, an expression of interest would indicate 2024 and 2025 as the optimum years to host the event.

            The Director pointed out that Tourism NI had been developing a business case to host the World Rally Championships in August, 2022 and that the total request from local government, incorporating council areas where activity would be taking place, was a total of £500,000, of which a request of funding from Belfast City Council was £175,000.  He added that, whilst no funding had been specifically earmarked for the World Rally Championship, the investment programme for the Cultural Strategy and Tourism Plan allowed for funding to be allocated to international activity, where the benefits had been clearly established.

The Committee:

·             Noted the contents of the report and the proposed programme of international events as part of an overall strategic approach to tourism and cultural development;

·             Agreed £350,000 as the Belfast City Council contribution towards hosting One Young World in 2023, subject to a final business case sign off by Tourism NI;

·             Agreed to submit an Expression of Interest for Belfast to host the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann within the next three years and receive update report in due course; and

·             Agreed to refer the request of £175,000 for the World Rally Championships to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.