AQW 29559/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/02/2022
Answered On Date: 07/03/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, further to Tourism Ireland’s Green Button Embrace a Giant Spirit 2022 Campaign, (i) what conversations has he had with tourism and hospitality stakeholders in East Londonderry in order to maximise the opportunities to tourism and businesses in the area; and (ii) which new (a) tourism; and (b) hospitality assets in this area have been identified as having particular potential to grow and appeal to the GB tourist market.

Answer:

EAGS Brand and Experience Development

In November 2019, Tourism NI launched its new Experience Brand, Northern Ireland - Embrace a Giant Spirit, which features a collection of visitor experiences in Northern Ireland including from the East Londonderry constituency. Tourism NI, in partnership with local authorities under the new brand ambassador programme, has been engaging with many tourism businesses to achieve brand alignment with their experiences.

A new visitor experience development framework was developed and a number of local businesses within the East Londonderry constituency have been successful in completing the five stage programme. These include Causeway Coast Foodie Tours, Dalriada Kingdom Tours, Frankie Creith Art, Crindle

Stables, Aquaholics, Away A Wee Walk, Ponderosa Bar, Whiteriver Charters, Chocolate Manor and the National Trust.

Tourism NI and Causeway Coast and Glens Council (CCGC) will continue to work in partnership to develop further visitor experiences in the area so they can meet the expectations of both domestic and international visitors in the months and years ahead. With the Covid19 pandemic, many tourism businesses have pivoted their resources and experience products to the closer to home markets including GB in the short term with a longer-term view to preparing for industry opportunities in overseas markets.

Growth Deals

There are significant opportunities that exist around CCGC’s role as part of the £72m Causeway Coast & Glens Regional Growth Deal. Further investment in the area as an already successful tourism destination is being considered. Tourism NI is working closely with CCGC on their Regional Growth Deal, including to help to market test and develop projects such as Dunluce Castle. This work will ensure that the investment in tourism is aligned to Tourism NI’s key strategic objectives.

Tourism NI will continue to work closely with colleagues in CCGC, as well as other stakeholders in the area, to identify and develop tourism projects, including the planning for and supporting the delivery of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2025. In 2019, the Open attracted significant levels of spectators from the GB market and was worth an estimated £100m to the local economy.