The UK Government has been urged to consider a seven-day waiver for a travel requirement to visit Northern Ireland.
Tourism Ireland have said they are lobbying for a potential alternative to the UK’s new visa waiver scheme, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), expressing concerns it may impact visitor numbers as they launched ambitious international marketing plans.
Earlier this week, Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy described the ETA as a cloud over plans to double revenue from overseas tourists, and said he will also continue to lobby the UK Government.
Stephen McNally, chairman of the Tourism Partnership Board and Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy during the launch of the Tourism Vision and Action Plan (PA)
All non-European visitors to the UK who do not have residency rights and who do not require a visa need to purchase an ETA in advance.
From April 2, European visitors will also need the digital travel permission, which costs £10 and is linked to a traveller’s passport.
It does not apply to Irish citizens travelling into Northern Ireland who are exempt under the Common Travel Area arrangements.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Alice Mansergh said there is concern that it is an extra step for visitors and could potentially put some off.
She said it has been suggested to government that a seven-day waiver could be introduced to exempt those taking short trips to Northern Ireland.
“I think the worry from the tourism industry here is that it is an extra step, so that if you’re thinking about your visit, you will now need this Electronic Travel Authorisation in order to come to Northern Ireland or indeed Great Britain,” she told the PA news agency.
“So the worry is it is an extra step and will it put people off? A Tourism Ireland survey for example showed that one in four in Europe and one in five people in North America said it would lead them to reconsider.
Tourists at the Dark Hedges near Armoy in Co Antrim, an area made world-famous when it was featured on the TV drama Game of Thrones (Liam McBurney/PA)
“It’s a challenge to overcome. On one hand the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, the minister (Conor Murphy) and we are in active discussions to see is there any alternative route, for example a suggestion from industry had been a seven-day waiver, that if you’re just coming into Northern Ireland on a holiday for seven days or less you wouldn’t need it. That is something that is being pushed as a suggestion with the Home Office.
“I think in the meantime, the ETA is with us from this spring, so in our marketing we want to make sure that people overseas, both tour operator partners and consumers have easy access to information, and we want to dial up how much people want to come to Northern Ireland so that you’re willing to go and get the ETA that is a little bit similar to when people visit the US and are accustomed to needing to get the ESTA.
“It’s about pushing for any possible alternatives, but while it is with us, mitigating the risk and making it easier for people.”
Ms Mansergh was speaking as Tourism Ireland launched their 2025 marketing plans at the ICC in Belfast, along with Mr Murphy.
The plan includes doubling the revenue generated by overseas tourism.
Golf, scenery and Derry Girls are part of this bid, which aims to make Northern Ireland a bucket list destination for world-wide travellers.
Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee in front of a Derry Girls mural in Londonderry (Liam McBurney/PA)
Ms Mansergh said overseas tourism delivered £627 million in revenue in 2023 and helped support 70,000 jobs in Northern Ireland, and they are targeting growing that to £1.3 billion by 2035.
She said while the ETA and the passenger cap at Dublin airport present a challenge, there is enormous potential ahead and they remain ambitious for growth.
“We will be launching a new campaign across 13+ overseas markets to win hearts, minds and trips,” she said.
“We will be collaborating with air and sea carrier partners to support demand for routes to Northern Ireland.
“With 80% of visitors researching and booking trips online, we will be sharing daily inspiration with our 7.5 million followers on social media and supporting 10 million deep research visits on our website, increasingly optimised for AI.
“Working with broadcasters around the world, we look forward for TV shows featuring reasons to visit airing to key audiences. Sporting moments like The Open at Royal Portrush present a key opportunity with promotional activist already under way.”