AQW 7625/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 27/02/2024
Answered On Date: 08/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for his assessment of the impact of the Electronic Travel Authorisation on tourism to Northern Ireland; and (ii) to detail any steps he has taken to mitigate any issues regarding this.

Answer:

I have strong concerns around the British Government’s introduction of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme and its potential impact as a disincentive to tourists. I’m aware these concerns are shared by many within our local tourism industry, including businesses on the North Coast.Tourism is a key priority for me, and I will meet with the NI Tourism Alliance in the very near future to discuss this vital issue and to hear at first hand the industry’s concerns. Following these discussions, I will lobby hard with the British Home Office Minister for Legal Migration to raise my strong concerns and urge consideration of an ETA exemption package of short-term mitigations for tourists travelling to the North.