AQW 46709/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 20/05/2026
Answered On Date: 28/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any work her Department has undertaken to support tourism in Groomsport, over the last five years.

Answer:

My 10 Year Tourism Vision & Action Plan sets out a key objective of doubling tourism spend to £2bn by 2035. I recognise the key role Councils, such as Ards & North Down Borough Council (AND) and our tourism industry play in reaching this ambitious target.

Tourism NI has developed a strong working relationship with AND council over many years and the Tourism NI CEO, Laura McCorry visited the Borough in April this year. Laura discussed the Council’s future plans with the council team and met industry stakeholders in the area.

There are several tourism providers and attractions in Groomsport featured on Tourism NI’s consumer website including The Stables Restaurant, Cockle Row (Thatched) Cottages, Groomsport Golf Centre and Groomsport and Orlock coastal walks.

In 2021, Tourism NI provided £220k of funding to AND council as part of a Market Led Product Development programme including various destination development activities.

Tourism NI’s Director of Destination Development recently presented at the launch of the AND council Visitor Promise video to encourage responsible tourism in the region.