AQW 10297/22-27

Dr Steve Aiken OBE
Ulster Unionist Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 17/04/2024
Answered On Date: 30/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) what discussions he has had with the Home Office over the forthcoming introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA); and (ii) whether his officials have made an assessment of the impact the ETA will have on tourism spend.

Answer:

I am concerned about the impact of the introduction of the British Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme on our tourism sector. I see it as a real risk to the huge growth potential for tourism here. I have met with the NI Tourism Alliance to discuss this vital issue and to hear at first hand the industry’s concerns.

I have written to Tom Pursglove MP, the Minister for Legal Migration and the Border at the British Home Office to seek an urgent meeting to discuss solutions that would protect our tourism industry.

With the British Government’s intentions to roll-out their ETA Scheme in full by early 2025, my officials alongside those in both Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI are engaged with the British Home Office in its development and roll-out of a targeted and bespoke communication strategy, particular to island of Ireland travel. Communication on the scheme needs to be delivered appropriately in a bid to minimise visitors being discouraged from visiting either here or potentially the island of Ireland as a whole.

My preference however is that the British Government provides an exemption from the ETA for tourists visiting the North.

In 2019, international visitors (who will require an ETA when introduced) contributed £220 million to the local economy and it is this expenditure that could be impacted by the introduction of the ETA scheme.