AQW 23093/22-27


Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 21/02/2025
Answered On Date: 11/03/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of how infrastructure could better support the development of sustainable tourism.


Revised Answer:
My Department launched its Tourism Vision and Action Plan: 10 Year Plan in January this year. It contains 17 actions across the Department’s four objectives of Net Zero, Good Jobs, Regional Balance and Productivity. It includes actions to build the capacity of tourism businesses to become more sustainable and to promote good practice in building sustainable tourism. How our visitors move around and interact with our region is critical not only to the carbon footprint they leave behind, but also the memories they take with them. The Vision and Action Plan recognises that ‘…a seamless, hassle-free experience, including ease of getting around the region from the moment visitors arrive until they leave is essential to creating a world-class visitor experience and more likely to encourage repeat visits and longer stays. Improvement in our transport infrastructure also leads to safer travel and connected communities’. The Department for Infrastructure has representation on the Tourism Partnership Board which oversees the implementation of the Action Plan. Its work on developing transport plans together with maintaining and strengthening our transport system is crucial for meeting the travel experience needs of our visitors and citizens. A well-integrated and sustainable transport network not only improves accessibility to key attractions but also minimizes the environmental impact of travel. By future proofing and investing in our transport system, destinations can attract more visitors, reduce congestion, and promote local economies. The Department for Infrastructure is committed to increasing opportunities for Active Travel and will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors to develop active travel infrastructure that encourages walking, wheeling and cycling as an attractive alternative to the private car. In addition, as well as providing a number of seasonal services to enable connectivity by public transport to tourist sites, Translink has ongoing engagement with Tourism NI to discuss strategic priorities and identify mutual opportunities to add value.