In June 2005, Belfast In Your Pocket launched to a visitor market hungry for more information on this diverse destination. From the off, the magazine covered often ignored aspects of local culture including political murals, the Orange Order and even the Titanic. Since then the city has witnessed a huge increase in tourism figures, with many coming here to explore those very same areas of local identity.

And today Belfast and Northern Ireland continue to experience a renaissance in tourism, with five star hotels and spas jostling for space with award-winning resturants and multi-million pound attractions. Festivals and events have played a pivotal part in our tourism lure... with the Tall Ships, Titanic Made in Belfast Festival and Belfast Maritime Festival recalling our golden days of shipbuilding and seagoing.

The Cathedral Quarter has risen from a hidden criss-cross of cobbled alleys to become the city's cultural hub and epicentre for fine dining and nightlife. And the Titanic Quarter continues its redevelopment with the opening of the revamped Pump House and Thompson Dry Dock where Titanic was fitted out, and even more grand unveilings promised to mark the ship's 2012 centenary.

When you've come from nothing, the only way is up, and that's definitely the feeling we get in this wee part of the world. As Belfast In Your Pocket continues to highlight the best of the city and Northern Ireland, we'd like to thank all our readers and supporters for helping make the past five years such a joy. Here's to the next five years - and who knows what the future holds.

CONGRATULATIONS...
...to Yvonne Ryder from Dublin who has won our 5th birthday competition. Yvonne, in her infinite wisdom, has chosen to spend her two nights at any UK and Ireland Jurys Inn right here in beautiful downtown Belfast. Enjoy your stay!


Pic: Jurys Inn, Belfast City Centre. To find out more about Jurys Inns, including its locations, visit www.jurysinns.com.