Tourism - Overview and Economic Importance

Tourism makes a vital contribution to the Northern Ireland economy in terms of the revenues it generates, the employment opportunities it provides, and the potential it creates for economic growth. As well as direct spending on holiday accommodation and use of tourist amenities, tourism plays an important role in helping to support the viability of many local suppliers, services and facilities. It can improve assets and provides infrastructure for local people and tourists, supporting the vibrancy of Northern Ireland's culture and heritage, and sustaining communities. The Executive identifies tourism as one of the building blocks to underpin its priority of growing a sustainable economy and investing in the future. The Programme for Government and the Northern Ireland Executive's Economic Strategy contain key strategic targets for tourism that recognise its potential to deliver significant economic growth in the future and supports the local tourism sector's long term aspiration to grow tourism into a £1billion industry in Northern Ireland by 2020.