Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for an update on tourism performance; and (ii) to detail any measures she is taking to support growth in the sector.
Minister for the Economy: (i) The NISRA statistics published on 21 May 2026 reveal an overall tourism expenditure from overnight visitors of £1.2 billion, which represents a growth of 9% compared with 2024, with overall visitor numbers also increasing by 9%.
These are very welcome statistics for our tourism industry, showing a sector that is growing steadily and demonstrating how vital it is to our economy. I have supported the sector and will continue to do so as we work to build on this positive momentum.
The All-Ireland economy is driving tourism growth with the latest NISRA figures showing trips by visitors from the south to the north increased by 15% in 2025. There were 1.3 million trips in 2025, compared to 1.1 million in 2024. The money spent by southern visitors increased from £243 million in 2024 to £317 million last year – an increase of 31%.
The statistics also outline an estimated 5.1 million overnight trips, 70% of these taken outside the Belfast City Council area. Tourism is one of our key successes and a regional economic driver.
(ii) My Tourism Vision & Action Plan sets a Strategic Goal that the economic value of our tourism expenditure from overnight visitors will exceed £2 billion by 2035. The Plan outlines 17 actions to drive sustainable, regionally balanced economic growth in the sector and the Tourism Partnership Board (TPB) monitors and advises on the delivery of the Action Plan.
Work being taken forward includes:
Targeted marketing by Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI in highvalue markets, including North America, Britain and the South to attract higherspend visitors. Shifting from volume to maximising economic return per visitor, supporting recovery and sustainability
Development of immersive, bookable experiences in food, culture and outdoor tourism to drive longer stays and higher spend.
Regional dispersal to extend tourism beyond Belfast and the North Coast, increasing economic impact. Fermanagh is now also a key part of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands regional brand, a real asset to driving visitor numbers to this beautiful part of the world and delivering real economic benefit for the region.
Eventled tourism to boost offpeak demand, including the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast and the 40th Anniversary of Derry’s Halloween Festival.
Late‑night transport pilot, jointly funded across Executive Departments and Belfast partners, is now underway with positive uptake, supporting safer access to the night‑time economy and demonstrating potential economic benefits for the city.
My Department is supporting hospitality through targeted business assistance, engagement on VAT competitiveness, and ongoing collaboration with partners to strengthen resilience and align with wider economic priorities.
Along with, with Tourism NI and industry, my Department is developing a Tourism and Hospitality Skills Plan to address sector skills needs and support career progression. The plan aims to drive higher‑value, sustainable tourism employment by improving skills, job quality and pay, reducing seasonality, and strengthening the long‑term attractiveness of tourism careers.
ENDS
Your MLA 