Published Tuesday, 24 January 2012
It is set to be a bumper year for tourism, and some of Northern Ireland's biggest names are backing the campaign to attract a global audience to its shores.
At a glittering event in London, some of Northern Ireland's most famous exports were singing its praises.
It's all about showcasing Northern Ireland as it gets ready to celebrate the perfect year.
Television presenter Eamonn Holmes said that it's easy to love where you are from.
He said: "We're small and perfectly formed - you don't have to go far for a whole range of experiences.
"You can talk about geography and you can talk about the beautiful scenery but most of all I think, Northern Ireland is about the people."
Christine Bleakley said that the man in her life, Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard, had been blown away after visiting.
"Frank loves Northern Ireland, he's been home with me a few times and he just adores it.
"Any free days we have, we go home and he thinks it's the best place ever," she said.
The aim of NI2012 is not just to provide a platform for the year-long series of events and campaigns, but to help change the image and perception of our country
First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Northern Ireland has entered a new era. There is a great confidence, there's a real bounce around Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.
"This gives us a chance to showcase Northern Ireland to a wider audience to come and visit."
Taking centre stage at this year's events will be the opening of the new iconic visitor attraction Titanic Belfast.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "The most important aspect of the north of Ireland is the people of the north of Ireland.
"The north of Ireland has been transformed, new relationships and new friendships have been built up."
And there's much more to look forward to with a new state-of-the-art visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway, the Irish Open at Royal Portrush and a further MTV concert.