Minister's speech - Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Tourism Conference - 27 February 2025

Note: this publication may not reflect verbatim delivery by Minister Archibald.

Good morning everyone.

Regional balance is one of four priorities and tourism has great potential to promote regional balance.

That is particularly the case in Fermanagh and Omagh, a truly beautiful part of the world with unique natural assets.

Today’s conference is an opportunity to talk about how we can work together to realise this tourism potential.

Yesterday I met with Council members and with local tourism and hospitality employers to discuss the barriers that need to be removed, and the opportunities that need to be taken.

There are many positives.

Tourism is now a priority for my Department.

My predecessor, Minister Murphy, therefore established a new Tourism Partnership Board, tasked with co-designing a 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan.

Launched last month, this ambitious plan aims to grow tourism expenditure from overnight visitors to over £2bn by 2035.

It is important that there is a strategic approach both at a regional and a local level.

A Local Economic Partnership is being established in Fermanagh and Omagh to ensure that the development of the economy, including tourism, is being driven by the local community.

These partnerships will help determine the activities of Executive Departments, Invest NI, and tourism agencies.

Ring-fenced funding is also being provided and this funding can be used to support local tourism.

The Visitor Experience Development Plan for Fermanagh and Omagh area, launched in July 2023, will act as a 10-year roadmap for tourism.

The Plan aims to position the Fermanagh Lakelands, Omagh and the Sperrins as world class sustainable and regenerative tourism propositions, with rich natural and cultural heritage.

Crucially, this markets the area not just as individual attractions, but as a coherent package - a brand.

This approach attracts more people, who will stay for longer, and spend more.

Tourism NI are also procuring an expert consultant to lead on a new Destination Stewardship Framework and Pilot Plan.

The Mid-South West Growth Deal will also provide significant support for regenerative and sustainable tourism.

A £21m proposal to support five tourism initiatives, stretching from the Marble Arch Caves to Castle Caldwell, seeks to deliver innovative and inclusive growth, through sustainable development and responsible landscape management, as well as improving the quality and access to these attractions.

The proposed Growth Deal investment in the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh will be another significant catalyst for regeneration; acting as a magnet for increased visitor numbers, from right across the island and beyond.

Cross-border collaboration is also a positive.

During a recent meeting with my counterpart in the south, Minister Burke, we agreed to work more closely to maximise the opportunities of our all-island tourism offering.

The Shared Island Funding announcement made earlier this week is also very welcome. This will see the development of cross-border trails and sustainable amenities.

This will not only encourage more domestic and international visitors to explore these locations. It will also attract additional investment, more jobs and increase prosperity for local communities.

The ‘Shared Destination Project’ initiatives, at Cuilcagh Lakelands, and at Sliabh Beagh will see the development of cross-border trails and amenities.

We are also making significant progress on plans to include Fermanagh into Failte Ireland’s, ‘Hidden Heartlands’ brand.

Tourism Ireland’s budget is increasing and this will help it to attract more international tourists.

It is important that tourists are steered to all parts of the region and I will continue to have that conversation with Tourism Ireland.

I recognise that there are also challenges.

The difference in the cost of doing business north and south is significant.

The reduction of VAT in the south, and the rise of National Insurance in the north will only heighten this differential.

We are lobbying London hard on these issues and indeed by colleague the Finance Minister John O’Dowd is meeting with the Treasury today.

Research has been commissioned to strengthen our lobbying efforts with empirical evidence.

We are also lobbying London for a mitigation to the ETA scheme, which risks deterring international tourists in the south form coming north.

Finally, all Departments, including my own, are under huge financial pressure.

So we will have to collaborate to stretch resources as much as possible and maximise impact.

Overall, the opportunities vastly outweigh the challenges.

So thank you to Alison, and your colleagues at the Council for creating the space for this conversation about how we realise the full tourism potential of this beautiful part of the world.

As Economy Minister I’m fully committed to working with you and supporting you.

I wish you well with rest of the conference and look forward to seeing the tourism offering here grow in the months and years ahead.

Thank you.