To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of (i) the importance of north coast tourism in helping to achieve Tourism NI’s target of an NI-wide 75 per cent increase in tourism revenue by 2033; (ii) the factors which may negatively impact north coast tourism, including (a) a recurrence of toxic algae blooms; (b) the cost of living crisis; and (c) controls on tourists entering Northern Ireland from the Republic; and (iii) what his Department must do to (a) mitigate these and any other barriers to north coast tourism; and (b) to further develop and increase it.

My Department’s draft Tourism Strategy aims to increase the value of tourism to our local economy by 50-75% over the next decade and to support the tourism industry to realise its potential for the future. As an important part of our regional tourism offering, not least due to its iconic experiences and heritage sites, north coast tourism will be an important contributor to that strategic aim.Tourism NI (TNI) acknowledges the vital role of tourism on the North Coast in fulfilling its objectives of achieving a 75% increase in tourism revenue across Northern Ireland by 2033. By fostering strong partnerships with all eleven local authorities across the North including Causeway Coast and Glens Council (CC&GC), TNI convene regular meetings to address priorities aimed at enriching the tourism sector throughout the North Coast region. The Causeway Coast and Glens (CC&G) has the second largest number of all overnight trips (after Belfast) and the highest proportion of overnight holiday trips in all Council areas. ​​TNI will once again work closely with key partners to plan for and support delivery of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2025, including engagement with the Council and the business community to optimise the economic benefits of hosting such a prestigious tournament. TNI are also working in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to deliver a Shared Island programme to develop linkages between the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) and Causeway Coastal Route (CCR) This work will be carried out in 2024 and all key stakeholders will be engaged before recommendations are supplied. There are significant opportunities that exist around CC&G’s role as part of the £72m Causeway Coast & Glens Regional Growth Deal, meaning that further investment in the area as an already successful tourism destination is being considered. All of these initiatives will further develop the north coast tourism offering and help achieve the 75% target increase in tourism revenue. No doubt factors outside the control of my Department including the cost of living crisis and the recurrence of toxic algae blooms may well have some impact on tourism throughout the North including the north coast but I will be working alongside my Executive colleagues to ensure these impacts are mitigated in a proportionate way.I am concerned about the impact of the introduction of the British Government's Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme on our tourism sector. I have met with the NI Tourism Alliance to discuss this vital issue and to hear at first hand the industry’s concerns. I intend to raise this matter with the Home Office to try to find a solution that protects our tourism industry.