AQW 21056/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 28/06/2021
Answered On Date: 15/07/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the initiatives he has undertaken, and plans to undertake, to promote food tourism in the Causeway coast area; and (ii) for his assessment of how food tourism can be improved and grown in this area.


Answer:
Food & drink tourism play an important role within the visitor economy for Northern Ireland.
Collaboration across the public and private sectors has resulted in three active Food and Drink Networks:
Armagh Food Heartland;
LegenDerry Food; and
Taste Causeway.
Each of the food networks has been instrumental in raising the profile of food and drink by working across a range of businesses including accommodation providers, food producers, and visitor experiences.
The Taste Causeway network is made up of over 90 active members who have signed up to the local food criteria and Collaboration Agreement. Invest NI has provided support through its Collaborative Growth Programme. Taste Causeway has had tremendous success in transforming the reputation of food and drink tourism in the Causeway Coast area. It was runner up in The Foodie Destination Awards 2019 and was awarded Slow Food Destination status in May 2020.
  
Taste Causeway has been involved in local events and festivals including the Salmon and Whiskey Festival and Portrush Beer Fest.  In October 2019, members put together a month-long programme of Taste Causeway events as part of the Taste the Island initiative which was financially supported and promoted by Tourism NI.   
Tourism NI continues to support the strong traditions of artisan food and drink through ongoing development of the ÉCONOMUSÉE network in Northern Ireland. There are six artisan food and drink registered ÉCONOMUSÉE businesses concentrated within the Causeway Coast and Glens region.
During the extended period of lockdown, Tourism NI’s and Tourism Ireland’s marketing and social media channels heavily promoted Tourism and Hospitality businesses from the Causeway Coast and Glens region. This ensured that the destination was at the front of mind for both domestic and international audiences.
As we emerge from the pandemic, Tourism NI will deliver a strong marketing campaign to drive bookings for domestic breaks. Tourism Ireland will deliver international marketing campaigns when the time is right to do so. Food and drink experiences have been, and will continue to be, heavily integrated into all aspects of the destination promotion.
Tourism NI is committed to further development of the sector through collaborative engagement with food and drink businesses, local authorities, and stakeholders, to enhance our position as a world class food and drink destination. Continued development of the food and drink sector remains critical to our recovery and is integrated within the Tourism Recovery Action Plan.