BELFAST – MTLG Destination Update 2026

NATURAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS

Framed by sea and hills, Belfast is a city where nature and culture are woven into every skyline view. From the slopes of Cave Hill, said to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, the city unfolds below in a panorama of creativity and change. The River Lagan glides through the heart of Belfast, linking the historic docks, where the Titanic was built, to the vibrant Cathedral Quarter, alive with murals, street art, and music spilling from cobbled courtyards. Locals gather in the Botanic Gardens, a Victorian masterpiece, or explore Titanic Belfast, now an architectural icon celebrating industrial heritage and human ingenuity. Storytelling is Belfast’s true art form, found in its poetry, its humour, and its warmth. Whether through a folk tune, a peace wall mural, or a pint shared in a traditional pub, Belfast invites visitors to experience a culture shaped by resilience, creativity, and an enduring sense of place.

GENERAL AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Belfast is one of Europe’s most accessible and compact capitals, where every venue, hotel, and attraction is within minutes of each other. Two airports- Belfast City Airport, just 10 minutes from the centre, and Belfast International Airport, 30 minutes away, connect delegates directly to major UK and European hubs. The city’s Glider rapid transit network ensures smooth, sustainable travel across its business and cultural quarters. At the heart of Belfast’s transformation stands the new Grand Central Station, opened in 2025 and Northern Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub. From here, an hourly Enterprise train service to Dublin links the two capitals in just over two hours, opening seamless cross-border access for events. With ongoing investment in green mobility, electric bus fleets, and active travel routes, Belfast is building a future-ready infrastructure where connectivity, sustainability, and convenience meet.

TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE

Belfast’s tourist infrastructure blends heritage, modern experiences, and local craftsmanship, ensuring every visitor enjoys a memorable stay. The city offers over 6,000 hotel rooms, from luxury international brands to boutique stays in historic townhouses and restored mills. Iconic attractions include Titanic Belfast and the Ulster Museum, while immersive experiences such as Taste & Tour food trails, visits to Titanic Distillers and McConnell’s Distillery celebrate Belfast’s rich whisky heritage, offering guided tastings and insights into centuries of distilling tradition. Private tours of Hillsborough Castle and hands-on experiences at Waterman House Cookery School combine history, gastronomy, and creativity. Walkable districts like the Cathedral Quarter and waterfront make it easy to explore restaurants, shops, and galleries, while the wider Belfast City Region offers scenic coastal villages and rural landscapes for day excursions. With well-connected transport and sustainable, experience-led offerings, Belfast ensures all visitors can enjoy its heritage, gastronomy, and creative heartbeat

MEETINGS INFRASTRUCTURE

Belfast has become a dynamic destination for conferences, meetings, and events, offering a combination of modern venues, historic charm, and professional expertise. At its heart, ICC Belfast provides over 7,000 m² of flexible event space, including a 2,000-seat auditorium, divisible halls, breakout rooms, and state-of-the-art technology, making it ideal for large-scale conferences and hybrid events. Complementing this are historic and iconic venues such as the Assembly Buildings and Titanic Belfast, along with legendary hotels such as the Hastings Europa Hotel, with 18 function rooms and 272 bedrooms, perfect for residential conferences. Just outside the city, Eikon Belfast provides expansive exhibition space for trade shows and product launches. Belfast’s compact layout, excellent transport links, and extensive professional support network ensure organisers can deliver seamless, memorable, and sustainable events, whether for small boardroom gatherings, incentive groups, or international conventions.

MEETINGS BUZZ

Belfast’s reputation as a meetings and events destination continues to grow, blending creativity, heritage, and innovation. International media spotlight the city’s transformation from an industrial port to a vibrant, forward-looking capital, while projects such as the Belfast Stories cultural hub due in 2030 and Belfast Harbour redevelopment generate global interest, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and urban regeneration. The city is recognised for excellence across key sectors, including life sciences, fintech, technology, and creative industries, offering specialist knowledge and networks that elevate business events. Belfast’s professionalism and quality have been reinforced through multiple industry awards,such as the C&IT Awards, best events destination and MICEBOOK best convention bureau. From historic streets and murals to modern convention centres and waterfront venues, Belfast consistently delivers memorable experiences, making it a destination where both leisure and business visitors can engage with the city’s culture, innovation, and sector expertise.