Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a Tourism Vision and Action Plan to grow the sector over the next 10 years.
The Tourism Vision & Action Plan: 10 Year Plan sets a Strategic Goal that tourism expenditure from our overnight visitors will exceed £2billion by 2035. Most recent annual tourism statistics show tourism expenditure for 2023 was at a record £1.2billion.
The Minister launched the plan at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast that hosts one of the north’s most visited attractions, Titanic Belfast and a Belfast Met campus where tourism students develop the skills for a future in the industry.
The Minister said: “My Tourism Vision and Action Plan sets out how we plan to create a thriving, sustainable tourism industry for the future, enriching local quality of life and creating a year-round destination, across the north, that will stand out in international markets.
“To drive our ambition for the next 10 years, I have set a Strategic Goal that the economic value of our tourism expenditure from overnight visitors will exceed £2billion by 2035. This is ambitious but achievable.”
Actions to help deliver the goal include:-
The Minister continued: “I am indebted to the Tourism Partnership Board which has helped to identify 17 activities which are critical to achieving this ambition in a way that promotes regional balance, raises productivity, creates good jobs, and lowers carbon emissions.
“We have a unique story to tell – we are renowned for our authentic experiences, landscape, heritage and culture and our welcoming people. This Vision and Action Plan aims to help our tourism industry thrive and give our visitors an experience they will never forget.”
Stephen McNally (Chair of the Tourism Partnership Board (TPB) said: “I am grateful to Minister Murphy for inviting me to steer the work of the TPB which has been most rewarding especially given the extensive breadth of industry experience across the group. Collaboration has been central to shaping this Vision. I am excited about the opportunities that implementing this Vision and Action Plan will present for ensuring long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits for future generations.”