A new signage scheme, highlighting places of interest along the Titanic and Maritime Heritage Trails, has been unveiled in Belfast.

Jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, under the Tourism Development Scheme, and Belfast City Council, the white on brown road signage and colourful pedestrian signage will help visitors and those who live and work in the city find their way to, from and around the Titanic Quarter and Belfast`s Titanic tourism assets.

The total cost of the signage project is almost £383,000, with £190,000 being provided by NITB and the remaining £193,000 coming from Belfast City Council, with additional support coming from the Department for Regional Development.

The Titanic and Maritime Signage Project will help to enhance the visitor experience of the Titanic and maritime story and will encourage visitors to embark on and explore Belfast`s newest tourism learning adventure.

Unveiling the new signs, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, commented: "This year promises to be a truly `titanic` year for tourism in Belfast, and it is vital that we do everything in our power to capitalize fully on the opportunities which 2012 presents to us. To this end, it is important that all visitors – and, indeed, local residents - are able to find their way easily around all elements of Belfast`s wonderful Titanic experience.

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"This new signage will be a highly visible and easy to follow guide to visitors, be they on foot, in a car or on other forms of transport, and will help them find their way around not only the Titanic Quarter and its associated attractions but also to explore other parts of the city, whether or not they be directly linked with the overall Titanic experience. Our support for this project is in part of our recently announced £150 million investment package, and therefore is in keeping with the council`s proud past of investing in major improvements to the city."

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster added: "In less than two weeks` time, the much anticipated Titanic Belfast building will open its doors to the public. Over 80,000 tickets have already been sold to people who will be visiting Belfast from 20 countries around the world.

"Good signage is essential for any tourism asset, and these new signs, which feature a distinctive Titanic Quarter logo, will point tourists in the right direction. By making journeys safer, easier and less confusing we are improving the quality of the visitor`s experience.

"The Titanic signs will also help to promote tourism, as they will not only help visitors who are already aware of the attractions but also for those travellers who may not be aware of what`s on offer in the Titanic Quarter."

The main aim of the scheme is to help local tourism projects, within the five Signature Projects, improve their tourism offering and provide a high quality visitor experience.

(GK)