the voice for tourism in northern

nitourismalliance.com

The Blue hour Sunrise at Flagstaff, Newry The Voice for Tourism in .

Who are we?

NITA is the independent voice representing the diversity of the Tourism economy

NITA members cover the range of sectors contributing to the business of Tourism Accommodation, Food & Drink, Regional DMO’s, Tourist attractions, International Conference Centre, Tour Guides, Transport (road, air, sea), Local Authorities, Education & Skills providers

Why?

~3 million tourists visit Northern Ireland annually

Visitor spend contributes in excess of £1 billion to the economy

Export driven - 70% of spend by visitors from outside of Northern Ireland

Supports over 65,000 jobs

Regional benefit 60% visitor spend is outside of 70% jobs located outside of Belfast

Ambition to double economic impact and create 25,000 jobs

nitourismalliance.com Shaping the Future Growth of Tourism.

What we do

Communicate the importance of Tourism as a driver of economic growth & social impact through our developing Tourism Agenda

Engage with our members and stakeholders to better understand and articulate the challenges and opportunities within the tourism economy

Utilise the strength of our membership to engage with key decision makers

Challenge and hold to account government (local, central & national), agencies and politicians

Influence and shape policy based on industry insights and knowledge

Lobby at all levels of government, local and national, to ensure policy is developed through the lens of Tourism

Partnership with stakeholders in UK and RoI to influence at national level

nitourismalliancewww.nitourismalliance.com .com NITA Priority Areas for Growth

DELIVERY POLICY FOCUS ACTIVITIES

POSITION TOURISM AS KEY ECONOMIC DRIVER

>£1bn revenue, 10% of total jobs, 70% export, regional benefit

Competitiveness Tourism Strategy Access, Taxation NITA Regulation &  Influence Tourism Infrastructure  Facilitate member Agenda engagement  Response to Consultation People & Skills

BREXIT Policy Member Focus Groups

Tourism Sustainability Sector Deal Management, for NI Environment & Stakeholder Accessibility Engagement

DATA

nitourismalliancewww.nitourismalliance.com .com Tourism A Key Economic Driver

Economic Impact WorId Class

Tourism is one of the most resilient and We have world class, high quality tourism successful parts of the local economy products that incorporate our landscapes, surpassing returns on investment made heritage and culture that enable visitors to in other industrial sectors and out- have a personal, authentic and quality pacing the average in job creation. experience. But tourism is not just about Tourism contributes in excess of £1bn in leisure and recreation. Business Tourism is a direct spend to the Northern Ireland growing sector built on our International economy, 70% of which is generated by Conference Centre and conference venues visitors from outside of Northern Ireland alongside our authentic experiences. and supports over 65,000 jobs. The experience and welcome that visitors Regional Benefit receive plays a role to encourage more inward investment and the consideration of our Growth in the tourism economy region as an excellent location for business. supports a broad range of sectors including; local food producers, retail, Ambition for Growth artisan craft, heritage, cultural and arts sectors, transport and construction Tourism is an exciting and dynamic industry while delivering meaningful benefit to all with a shared vision and ambition to double parts of Northern Ireland. its economic impact by 2030, and growing employment from 65,000 to 90,000 people. Belfast, as our capital city, is the main gateway for tourists, however almost Momentum has been built through the 60% of tourist spend and 70% of jobs promotion by and are outside of Belfast. This provides building on the huge success employment and business on a local of The 148th Open, the growing legacy of the regional basis, bringing much needed Game of Thrones, the reputation of our Food investment and facilities into rural and & Drink, our award winning world class coastal communities. attractions, as well as our culture, heritage and breathtaking landscapes.

Now is the time, to Embrace our Giant Spirit, to make courageous decisions and maximise the transformational opportunity that Tourism presents in Northern Ireland.

nitourismalliancewww.nitourismalliance.com .com Policy Focus

COMPETIVENESS PEOPLE & SKILLS It is estimated that 2,500 people will need to Access - As an Island off an Island with no be employed to fill existing jobs that will road or rail links to GB, air access is vital to become vacant each year over and above tourism growth. Air capacity has decreased the 25,000 new jobs that will be created as by 10% from 2018. the Tourism grows. Tourism relies on We are calling for: attracting skills from outside of NI and the • Support to attract more direct air routes proposed UK Immigration Reforms will have from GB & EU destinations a negative impact on our ability to grow. We are calling for government to work with • High speed Belfast/Dublin rail link industry to: Infrastructure - With ~3m visitors to our • Address negative perceptions of region each year, investment in our public Tourism careers infrastructure is vital. We are calling for: • An integrated transport strategy • Improved access to careers advice earlier in the education system • Improvements in waste water facilities • An Immigration policy which • Upgrade of rural broadband addresses our regional variances Tax & Legislation - Tourism is a relatively price-sensitive sector. We are calling for: SUSTAINABILITY • Short-haul APD to be abolished Over Tourism - We need to be aware of the • Reform of non-domestic rates and impact of ‘Over Tourism’ and how we ensure introduction of relief scheme sustainability of tourism into the future. Last year the Giants Causeway was the first • Consideration of lower VAT rate heritage attraction to welcome over a 1m visitors. This is real success, but brings issues • Modernisation of liquor licensing legislation with regard to the visitor experience and the environmental and social impact. BREXIT Environmental Impact - Travellers are The life blood of Tourism is the ability to becoming more aware of their carbon attract inbound visitors. We must address the footprint and we need to have a plan on how issues arising from Brexit or our Tourism to become an ‘eco-friendly’ destination and be economy will be significantly impacted promoted as such. threatening jobs across Northern Ireland. Accessibility – The UK has set a target to be • Seamless travel across the border is vital the most accessible tourist destination in with >50% visitors arriving via RoI by 2025. NITA is working with our members to develop a cohesive approach and • Our agencies must be properly resourced message on our accessibility credentials to market our region to address negativity and confusion with tour operators and visitors.

nitourismalliancewww.nitourismalliance.com .com Our Members

nitourismalliancewww.nitourismalliance.com .com Join us in shaping the future of Tourism in NI

Contact: Dr Joanne Stuart OBE CEO Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance

[email protected] +44 (0) 7742 450283

nitourismalliance.com