Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to with relevant authorities to support Northern Ireland’s tourism industry.

Northern Ireland remains a highly popular destination for both UK and international visitors. In 2023, the tourism sector contributed approximately £1.2 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy, with 5.4 million visitors. In March, I met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance to discuss the opportunities and challenges that its members are facing.

The Northern Ireland Executive is ultimately responsible for tourism in Northern Ireland. I welcome the Department for the Economy’s efforts to boost the impact of tourism across Northern Ireland through its 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan.