Titanic Belfast – one of Northern Ireland’s most visited attractions – has confirmed the appointment of Judith Owens as its new chief executive.

Previously operating as the attraction’s director of operations and deputy chief executive, the promotion puts Owens at the head of Titanic Belfast, which in 2016 picked up the award for World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

“Having been at the forefront of Titanic Belfast’s development, I’m very proud of everything it has achieved in its first five years,” said Owens.

“I look forward to delivering in the next stage of the company’s development. Rest assured, we'll continue to deliver our world-class standards to visitors and clients alike.”

Owens replaces outgoing CEO Tim Husbands, who leaves to take up a new position as chief executive of County Mayo’s Westport House in the Republic of Ireland.

"Over the past 25 years, it's been an honour to play a role in the transformation of Belfast into a destination of choice for both leisure and business tourists,” said Husbands.

“It’s a fantastic city and I’m sure it, and Northern Ireland, will go from strength-to-strength.”

Titanic Belfast has enjoyed significant growth in 2017, welcoming 440,000 people through its doors between April and August – an increase from 360,000 for the same period in 2016.

The attraction is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience and acts as a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage. It sits on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard – the place where the RMS Titanic was built.