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The Orange tradition is good for tourism and the economy.
That is the message from the Institution, as analysis continues
of highly successful Twelfth festivals across Ulster.
PSNI figures highlight that tens of thousands of people,
including many tourists from outside Northern Ireland, enjoyed
the unique spectacle of the Twelfth this year.
And for the Order's "flagship" Twelfth festival
in Bangor, Co. Down, the figures are most impressive.
The police estimate of the crowds in the Co. Down seaside
venue is that at least 80,000 people were there.
Last month tourist officials met with Grand Lodge officers
and a representative of Bangor District to discuss how the
event had gone, and were clearly impressed with the celebrations.
The District and the Order has pledged to take on board good
points and bad brought to their attention, and is working
to help make July a month for increased tourism through our
cultural events.
Schomberg House, meanwhile, has been gathering statistics
from around the province in terms of crowds at celebrations
from Maguiresbridge to Kilkeel and all other places in between.
Dr. David Hume, Director of Services, said that there had
been some confusion with police figures, since some such as
Bangor were an estimate of parade and spectators but others
merely referred to the parade.
"We would hope we could see this standardised for next
year," he said.
"In the meantime, figures are showing impressive turnouts
at places such as Bangor, Coleraine (50,000), Belfast (up
to 50,000), Broomhedge (20,000) and Gilford (10,000). It is
clear, however, that these figures are a low estimate. The
County Armagh celebration in Richhill attracted 6,600 according
to the police, for example, but it was of course very much
in excess of that figure."
"The central message in all of this is that the Twelfth
provides a major boost to the economy, both from the point
of view of the host town or area, and also from the incoming
tourist market," the Director said.
"Clearly, all things being equal, the Twelfth and tourism
go hand in hand, but, of course, sadly, some have chosen in
the past to disrupt events to the detriment of everyone in
Northern Ireland," he concluded.
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