tourism northern ireland jobs

Thinking about a career change?

Looking for flexible working hours, a huge variety of rewarding roles - from entry level to management – and loads of career progression opportunities? In tourism and hospitality, you’ve got it made.

FIND YOUR IDEAL JOB.

Make that change you’ve always promised yourself. Use the arrows below to browse the job sites to find your next career move. Just click on the logo and you’re through to each site’s tourism & hospitality jobs section . You’re already on your way to making it here - in tourism and hospitality. Best of luck on your new journey!

“I gained a lot of confidence. It was a life changer for me.”

Aine Glendenning

“Hospitality gives you the freedom that another role can't.”

“I'm working with amazing people, all talented people; passionate people about their job!”

Dylan Turner

We’re part of MAKE it here

Every year, more and more people in Northern Ireland are discovering how rewarding and enjoyable a career in hospitality and tourism can be. 65,000 people at last count! With so many different roles available and skillsets required, people from all backgrounds are finding success. Here we are showcasing the talented, dedicated people who have made a tourism and hospitality career for themselves in Northern Ireland. Not only have they helped make the experience of those who visit Northern Ireland that bit more memorable, they’ve found a profession they truly love that works for them. Read their stories, learn more about what they do and find the right career path for you.

MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY

The Tourism & Hospitality industry is full of the same type of people - people who make your day. Some make five-star cuisine, others make mouth-watering cocktails, some make history come to life and others make sure the books are balanced at the end of the month.  But, whatever your role and whatever your goal, in Tourism & Hospitality you can make someone’s day here – and make your career here too!

Some useful links:

Discover supports and opportunities to help grow your business.

Get an accredited qualification and invaluable on the job experience with a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Tourism, Event Management and Culinary Arts with your local College. Ideal for new or existing employees in the industry.

Tourism NI in patnership with Belfast Metropolitan College is delivering a free level 2 City and Guilds accredited short course. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to explore pathways in the industry and to ensure the best fit for your future career.

TOURISM JOB TO CHECK OUT

Deputy General Manager at Culloden Estate and Spa, County Down

HOSPITALITY JOB TO CHECK OUT

Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Bishop's Gate Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

MAKE YOUR CAREER

Why so many people choose to make their career in hospitality & tourism.

WHICH ROLE IS MADE FOR YOU?

Are you a people person ? Meet new people every day working in a hotel. Do you love nature and being active? You might have what it takes to be an outdoors instructor. Are you a big foodie ? Cook up a storm for a living as a chef.  Are you a walking encyclopaedia of history & facts? Share your knowledge as a tour guide.  There's a role for everyone in Tourism & Hospitality. 

BELFAST JOBS TO CHECK OUT

Right across the city and its surrounding areas, Belfast has  a wide range of places to work and jobs to explore in the tourism & hopsitality sectors. It's home to some of the largest hotel groups, award winning visitor attractions and a vibrant nightlife.  Where will you make it?

READY TO MAKE THE CHANGE?

Make that change you’ve always promised yourself. Use the arrows below to browse the job sites to find your next career move. Just click on the logo and you’re through to each site’s tourism & hospitality jobs section. You’re already on your way to making it here - in tourism and hospitality. Best of luck on your new journey!

CATEGORIES & ROLES

Learn about all the different industries & roles to find the perfect position for your new career.

ON THE JOB HUNT?

Sign-up to Springboard who provide CV building support & offer online intro courses.

HOSPITALITY CAREER ADVICE

Get free career advice and find the right job for you in hospitality.

EMPLOYER TOOLKIT

Click the link below to download our offical toolkit  for employers looking to hire new and talented staff in the Tourism & Hospitality industry in 2023.

Need help reading on this site?

Text-to-speech reader:

Business Guidance

Make it Here! Careers in Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism Northern Ireland will deliver the third phase of its dedicated campaign to change perceptions of working in our sector and attract and retain more great people. Phase 1 of the campaign launched in March 2023 and was very successful with over 30,000 visits to our microsite.

Campaign Aims & Benefits

People are the driving force behind our industry and we want to encourage more people to make a career in tourism and hospitality. But we need your help! Our industry have a powerful voice and we need to come together to shout about the vibrant, rewarding careers in our sector.

The Make It Here campaign will help shift perceptions of what it’s like to work in the Tourism & Hospitality industry, encouraging more people to consider starting a career in this fantastic sector.

This will benefit employers as it should result in an increase in the number of overall applications for roles but also the quality of applicants overall.

We also want to hang on to these people. This campaign will support the retention of staff within the industry by reaffirming to them the great benefits of working in Tourism & Hospitality, such as structured training, pay progression and flexible hours.

It is important to note that real change in perceptions and behaviour takes time and that the aim of Make It Here is to improve long-term recruitment and retention in the industry.

Campaign Toolkit

We have shared a campaign toolkit to make it easy for Tourism & Hospitality employers and partners to be part of the Make It Here campaign.

Make it Here - Campaign Toolkit

Toolkit for Tourism & Hospitality Businesses

Useful Information Webinar:

A useful information session about the next stage of the Make It Here campaign, and what it means for your business, is now available to view.

Make it Here! Phase 2 Information Session

The Tourism & Hospitality industry is full of the same type of people - people who make your day. Some make five-star cuisine, others make mouth-watering cocktails, some make history come to life and others make sure the books are balanced at the end of the month. But, whatever your role and whatever your goal, in Tourism & Hospitality you can make someone’s day here – and make your career here too!

What You Can Do

• Use the Make It Here Campaign assets  on social posts, web pages and posters. We have developed a wide range of new photography for you to use for advertising vacancies. These cover, bars, front of houses, restaurants, visitor experiences, events and even coach drivers.
• Upload your job vacancy ads to any of our partner recruitment sites or advertise on your own channels like your website or social media channels
• Use #MakeYourCareer on any social media comms to amplify the campaign
• Access wider Tourism NI Recruit and Retain practical supports such as our People Health Check and much more.
• Demonstrate your commitment as an Employer. Sign up to the Wellbeing & Development Promise
• Let us know your stories – do you have fantastic employees that fit our target audiences? What are you doing differently in your business to attract, retain and challenge perceptions of working in Tourism & Hospitality?

Campaign Assets

As part of the Make It Here campaign, a range of assets will be available for use by employers alongside your own activity.

Make it Here Assets

These assets can be downloaded and shared on social media, put on posters, added to a job template, used in your email signature, added to your website, or more.

Download Assets

Creative Examples

This is an example of a digital ad our targets will see. The aim of these ads is to highlight the most important benefit to each of our target audiences e.g. Ads for our Part-time audience say ‘Make your own hours’ which emphasises flexible working hours.

Social Post Examples

Create effective recruitment social posts.

Our research into the world of Tourism & Hospitality has identified key messages and attributes for different sectors, audiences and candidates. You should look to reference these in your social posts to help make your posts more engaging and compelling for prospective candidates. The three examples here will help show you how.

Our dedicated careers website, makeyourcareer.co.uk , is packed with inspiration, information and opportunities for anyone considering an exciting, rewarding career in Tourism & Hospitality.

From information on trade apprenticeships, accredited qualifications, and employer profiles to inspiring video showcases and supports and opportunities for employers, you’ll find everything you need to help get you started and progress in the world of Tourism & Hospitality.

Support & Resources

The following websites provide useful supports, resources and advice to help employers better recruit and retain staff. Check out the range of Tourism & Hospitality courses at your local Further & Higher Educational college. You may want to offer your current team further training and development opportunities.

Wellbeing Promise

Our research shows that a two-fold approach is needed to change long-held negative perceptions of working in the industry. Tourism & Hospitality employers need to become best practice employers.

Developed by the UK Hospitality & Tourism Skills Board, the ‘Wellbeing and Development Promise’ is a UK wide initiative for the hospitality and tourism industry, to promote the wellbeing and development of staff within both sectors.

Ensuring that team members are well-supported is fundamental to any successful businesses. This is particularly vital for the hospitality sector which, at its heart, is built on providing fantastic customer service, creating repeat visits and an exciting, enjoyable experience and drives social mobility in communities across the country.

It is therefore critical that jobs and careers are attractive for jobseekers and existing team members alike. To ensure success, retention is critical for upskilling the sector and, for retention to be delivered, team members must feel valued and supported within their workplace. In effect a positive focus on wellbeing within the workplace has been proven to boost productivity and reduce absenteeism. Creating such environments will deliver a sense of belonging, positively impacting on the mental and social health of team members.

Tourism & hospitality businesses across NI are encouraged to sign up to the Wellbeing Promise, ensuring that team members feel valued and supported as a key part of our industry.

To find out more, visit wellbeingpromise.co.uk

Further & Higher College

Northern Ireland’s six regional Further Education Colleges offer a range of apprenticeships designed to meet the changing trends in our sector and enable you to recruit and retain good people.

A full list of apprenticeship training contractors can be found on NI Direct .

Did you know that Apprenticeships are not just for young people?

All-Age Apprenticeships are now available for all, increasing employers’ ability to support training in the workspace.

Apprenticeships on offer include:

• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Management
• Event Management
• Culinary Arts
• Professional Cookery
• Front of House & Hospitality
• Supervision & Leadership

How does an Apprenticeship work?

• Apprentice works with an employer for 4 days per week to gain practical skills and experience
• 1 day per week studying at a local college with no cost to employer or employee

Benefits of Apprenticeships

• Tackle staff turnover
• Sustainably deals with staff shortages
• 80% of companies who invest in apprenticeships report an increase in staff retention and morale

What to do next

Contact your local College Apprenticeship Team by email:

• Belfast Met -  [email protected]
• NRC -  [email protected]
• NWRC -  [email protected]
• SERC -  [email protected]
• SRC - [email protected]
• SWC - [email protected]

Employer Supports & Resources

Tourism northern ireland.

Here you can find:

• Research and insights
• People health check
• HR guidance
• Latest news
• Employment law
• Wider tourism support & opportunity to build your business

HATS Network (Hospitality & Tourism Skills)

Here you can find: 

• Skills Funding Guide
• Employer Guides to Skills funding and recruitment support
• Industry commitment
• Best practice advice on recruitment and retention

Hospitality Ulster

• Training and development
• Job description examples
• Staff recruitment pack

NITA - Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance

• Information on upcoming events
• Industry publications

We want to hear your stories

But in the meantime, we want to hear your stories .  We are searching for passionate people who would be happy to share their career journey, regardless of the path they took to get here -  in fact, the more unconventional the better!   

We are particularly looking for:  

• Entry-Level - have you joined the industry straight from school or university and now forging a career in tourism and hospitality? 
• Career Switches – were you working in a different sector and decided to switch paths and follow your interests to a career in tourism and hospitality?   
• Work after Retirement – are you a retiree that now works part-time as tour guide for example? Ditched the laptop for the bar top?  
• Returners – did you return after a career break and decide to delve into the world of travel and tourism instead?  
• Unique & usual day-to-day – does your job surprise people? Have you turned a hobby into a career in travel and hospitality?   

We would like to share some of these stories with our local media and on digital share, to inspire people across Northern Ireland to consider a job in travel, tourism and hospitality.   

We would also like to hear what you as employers are doing to recruit and retain great people?

• Are you doing anything unconventional and innovative? 
• Why are you a great employer?
• Have you recently introduced more flexible rotas, new training opportunities, changes in pay/ grading and or /working conditions?  

We want to shine a light on great examples of Recruitment and Retention across Northern Ireland and encourage others to strive for better.

Jobs of the week: There will also be opportunities for employers to showcase live vacancies in the sector that are suitable for the target audiences mentioned above. Use the campaign as an opportunity to attract better candidates and let us know about the opportunities in your sector!

How to get involved

Make it here case studies.

Hear from some people in the industry about their thoughts and experiences  working in tourism and hospitality.

Click here.

Campaign details

October - March

You might also like:

24 Oct 2023

People and Skills

Hats network - recruitment & retention webinar series.

• Career Advice
• Browse Jobs +
• Quick Searches
• Sign In / Register
• Recommended Jobs
• Create Job Alert
• Salary Calculator
• Advertise a job

Recruiter Type:

7 Travel & Tourism Jobs in Northern Ireland

Page 1 of 1

Save Search

Your search has been saved to and can be managed from your dashboard

Email Alerts

Receive new jobs like these by email

Added 03/04/2024

Visitor Experience Crew with Guiding

TBL International Limited

Belfast, UK

Salary: £20,000 - £30,000

Permanent Full-Time

Show Short Description

We want every one of our visitors to enjoy an unforgettable experience when they walk through the doors of Titanic Belfast, if you would like to be part of this then read on!... more

Added 29/03/2024

Assistant Visitor Services Manager - Ulster Museum, Belfast

National Museums NI

Salary: As per scale

National Museums NI is a leading cultural institution and is responsible for ensuring that its significant collection is developed, cared for and accessible to the widest possible audience. Almost one... more

Added 27/03/2024

Visitor Guide

Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Salary: See Job Description

Permanent Part-Time

We are recruiting for a Visitor Guide for the Ulster American Folk Park. In fulfilling the role as Visitor Guide, the postholder will undertake the following activities: Visitor Experience ... more

Added 22/03/2024

Casual Events Staff- Balmoral Show

Task Recruitment

Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Temporary Part-Time

Casual Event Staff Task Recruitment are seeking to recruit Casual Event Staff for the upcoming Balmoral Show , taking place from Wednesday 15th May to Saturday 18th May 2024. YOU MUST BE... more

Visitor Guide (Part time, Belfast)

Honeycomb Jobs Ltd

Salary: £15,000 - £25,000

Temporary Full-Time

Honeycomb Jobs is delighted to be working with our public sector client, to recruit multiple part time (2x 14.8hrs per week posts and 1x 18.5hrs per week post) Visitor Guides at AO level on a... more

Added 21/03/2024

Discovery Centre Facilitator

We are recruiting for a Discovery Centre Facilitator. The Discovery Centre Facilitator will provide visitors to the Ulster Museum with an accessible, exciting, hands on learning experience. They... more

Added 12/03/2024

First Choice Selection Services

Salary: £25,000 - £35,000

Zookeeper required to work in the Belfast City Zoo. This is a full time temporary post for at least 3 months, working 8am 5pm working 5 days a week including weekends, with a pay rate of... more

• Part-Time Travel & Tourism Jobs in Northern Ireland
• Executive Jobs NI
• Graduate Jobs - Northern Ireland
• Digital Jobs
• Latest NI Company Jobs
• Driver Jobs NI
• Jobs in Derry
• IT Project Manager Jobs
• Construction Project Manager Jobs
• Customer Service Jobs
• Technical Support Jobs
• Work From Home jobs
• Chef jobs Belfast
• Assistant Accountant Jobs
• Account Manager Jobs
• Temporary Jobs
• Contract Jobs
• Teacher jobs
• Warehouse jobs
• Project Manager Jobs
• Immediate Start Jobs
• Software Developer Jobs
• Software Developer Jobs Belfast
• NET Developer Jobs
• Java developer Jobs
• Recruitment Consultant jobs
• Recruitment Consultant jobs Belfast
• Warehouse jobs in Belfast
• HGV Driver jobs
• Council jobs
• Data analyst jobs
• Accountant jobs
• Classroom Assistant jobs
• Mechanical engineer jobs
• Electrician jobs
• Hospitality Management jobs
• Bookkeeping jobs
• Marketing Manager jobs
• Accounts Payable jobs
• Administrative assistant jobs
• HR Manager jobs
• Manager jobs
• Manager jobs in Belfast
• Remote jobs
• Hybrid working jobs
• Hybrid working jobs Belfast
• Graduate jobs Belfast
• Care assistant jobs
• Support worker jobs
• Payroll jobs
• Credit controller jobs
• Warehouse Manager jobs
• Office Manager jobs
• Retail jobs
• Retail jobs Belfast
• Social work jobs
• Administrative Officer jobs
• Administrator jobs
• Full Time jobs Belfast
• Full Time jobs
• Maintenance Manager jobs
• Nurse jobs in Belfast
• Clerical Officer jobs
• Part time HSC jobs
• Teacher Jobs Belfast
• Assistant Accountant Jobs Belfast
• Assistant Jobs
• Account Manager Jobs Belfast
• Software Engineer Jobs
• Support Worker Jobs Belfast
• Plumbing Jobs
• Mechanic Jobs
• Electrical Engineer Jobs
• Maintenance Engineer Jobs
• Site Engineer Jobs
• Production Operative Jobs
• Sales Assistant Jobs
• Financial Controller Jobs
• Commercial Manager Jobs
• Environmental Jobs
• Environmental Jobs Belfast
• Driver Jobs Belfast
• Finance Administrator Jobs
• Media Jobs Belfast
• Purchase Ledger jobs
• Quality Manager jobs
• Accounting Assistant Jobs
• HR Administrator Jobs
• Deputy Manager Jobs
• Account Executive Jobs
• Accounts Receivable Jobs
• Health and Safety Manager Jobs
• Site Manager Jobs
• Auditor Jobs
• Graphic Design Jobs
• Receptionist Jobs
• Quantity Surveyor Jobs
• Solicitor Jobs
• Solicitor Jobs Belfast
• Developer Jobs
• Developer Jobs Belfast
• Accounts Assistant
• Cleaning Jobs
• Civil Engineer Jobs
• Director Jobs
• Accounts Administrator Jobs
• Apprenticeship Jobs
• Accounts Technician Jobs
• Procurement Jobs
• Disability Assessor Jobs
• Financial Accountant Jobs
• Design Engineer Jobs
• Physiotherapist Jobs
• Production Jobs
• Occupational Therapist Jobs
• Lecturer Jobs
• Project Manager Jobs Belfast
• Aerospace Jobs
• Planner Jobs
• Personal Assistant Jobs
• Designer Jobs
• Marketing Executive Jobs
• Legal Secretary Jobs
• Healthcare Assistant Jobs
• Student Jobs
• Pharmacist Jobs
• Online Jobs
• Agency Jobs
• Communications Jobs
• Communications Jobs Belfast
• Sports Jobs
• Research Jobs
• Creative Jobs
• Maintenance Jobs Co Derry
• Events Jobs
• Monday to Friday Jobs
• Monday to Friday Jobs Belfast
• Arts Jobs Belfast
• Property Jobs
• Joiner Jobs
• Compliance Jobs
• Compliance Jobs Belfast
• Care Home Jobs
• Business Analyst Jobs
• Business Development Executive Jobs
• Staff Nurse Jobs
• Labourer Jobs
• IT Engineer Jobs
• Finance Manager Jobs
• General Operative Jobs
• Product Manager Jobs
• IT Contract Jobs

Refine search

Travel & tourism job roles, recruiter type.

• Login/Register
• Recruiter Search

nijobfinder

• Jobs by Category
• Privacy Policy
• Online Licence Agreement
• Code of Conduct
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Your Privacy
• Consent Choices
• Terms and Conditions
• Employer Login
• Belfast Telegraph
• Classifieds

Copyright © nijobfinder 2024.

Tourism in Northern Ireland

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Tourism in Northern Ireland is big business. But why? And how should this important industry be managed? Read on to find out…

Geography of Northern Ireland

Tourism industry in northern ireland, statistics about tourism in northern ireland, popular tourist attractions in northern ireland, popular types of tourism in northern ireland, economic impacts of tourism in northern ireland, social impacts of tourism in northern ireland, environmental impacts of tourism in northern ireland, faqs about tourism in northern ireland, to conclude: tourism in northern ireland.

Northern Ireland, a region known for its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, plays a vital role in the UK’s tourism industry. This article explores the dynamics of tourism in Northern Ireland, highlighting its iconic attractions, cultural significance, and the various economic aspects that influence its growth and sustainability.

Northern Ireland is one of the four regions that make up the United Kingdom, located on the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. It shares borders with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west, and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, east, and west. Here’s an overview of the geography of Northern Ireland:

1 – Landscapes: Northern Ireland’s landscape features a diverse range of scenery including mountains, valleys, rolling hills, forests, beaches, and stretches of coastline, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

2 – Mountains: The highest peak in Northern Ireland is Slieve Donard, which is part of the Mourne Mountains range situated in County Down, standing at 850 metres above sea level.

3 – Lakes and rivers: There are also several lakes and rivers throughout Northern Ireland, including Lough Neagh, which is the largest lake in the British Isles, and River Bann, which is the longest river in Northern Ireland.

4 – Climate: The climate is temperate maritime, characterised by mild, wet winters and mild summers influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.

5 – Counties: There are six counties in Northern Ireland: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone.

6 – Major cities: Northern Ireland’s largest city and capital is Belfast, which is located in County Antrim. Other major cities in the region include Derry/Londonderry, Newry, and Armagh.

7 – Transportation: Northern Ireland is well-connected to the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom through air, sea and land transportation. Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport are the two major airports in the region.

8 – Natural attractions: Northern Ireland is home to several natural attractions, such as the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage site, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Murlough National Nature Reserve and many more.

Overall, Northern Ireland is a beautiful region with varied landscapes, characterised by rugged coastlines, verdant rolling hills, and historic cities, that is attractive to tourists, and is often a popular choice for visitors seeking outdoor activities, and historical and cultural experiences.

Tourism is a growing industry in Northern Ireland, with attractions ranging from historical sites to stunning natural landscapes, as well as a vibrant cultural scene in its cities. Here’s an introduction to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland:

1 – Attractions: Northern Ireland offers a variety of attractions, such as the iconic Giant’s Causeway, the Titanic Belfast Visitor Centre, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and the historic city of Derry/Londonderry.

2 – Historic sites: Northern Ireland has a rich history, including the legacy of the Titanic ship, the ancient megalithic site of Newgrange, ancient monastic sites, and several castles and historic buildings.

3 – Natural attractions: Visitors can enjoy numerous natural attractions like the Causeway Coastal Route, the Mourne Mountains, the Fermanagh Lakelands, and a wealth of walking trails and cycling routes.

4 – Tourism infrastructure: Northern Ireland has an extensive tourism infrastructure that offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering cottages, camping, and caravanning parks.

5 – Food and drink: Northern Ireland has emerged as a food and drink destination, with a vibrant food culture, offering visitors a diverse range of culinary experiences from traditional Northern Irish meals to modern cuisine.

6 – Festivals: Northern Ireland hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Belfast International Arts Festival, the Belfast Film Festival, the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.

7 – Film and TV productions: Northern Ireland’s stunning landscapes have been featured in famous productions like “Game of Thrones” and “The Fall,” positively impacting the tourism industry.

Overall, the tourism industry in Northern Ireland has been growing in recent years, taking advantage of the region’s stunning natural landscapes, history, culture, and infrastructure, and providing visitors with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Now lets put things into perspective. Here are some statistics about tourism in Northern Ireland:

1 – In 2019, tourism in Northern Ireland generated £968 million GVA and supported 65,000 jobs, making it a significant contributor to the region’s economy.

2 – There were 5.2 million overnight visits to Northern Ireland in 2019, a 3% increase from the previous year.

3 – In 2019, the average spend per visitor for overnight stays was £259, with holidaymakers spending more than business and visiting friends/family visitors.

4 – North Americans make up the majority of visitors from overseas, accounting for 20% of total international visitors, followed by mainland Europeans (17%) and then residents of the Republic of Ireland (16%).

5 – Visitors are primarily attracted to the natural beauty and scenic drives of Northern Ireland, including the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, and the Causeway Coastal Route.

6 – Tourism in Northern Ireland has shown steady growth over the past decade, with overnight visitor numbers increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2019.

7 – Most tourists stay in hotels while visiting Northern Ireland, with hotel occupancy rates averaging 78% in 2019.

8 – The Titanic Belfast Visitor Centre is the most visited paid tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, attracting 841,563 visitors in 2019.

9 – The UK market is the largest source of visitors to Northern Ireland, with 3.7 million overnight visits in 2019, followed by the Republic of Ireland (1.8 million) and the rest of the world (600,000).

10 – Almost 50% of visitors to Northern Ireland engage in outdoor activities, with walking/hiking being the most popular, followed by golf, cycling, and angling.

These statistics provide a snapshot of the importance of tourism in Northern Ireland, highlighting the sector’s value to the local economy and the preferred travel interests of visitors.

Now lets take a look at why tourism in Northern Ireland is so popular by highlighting the range of tourist attractions:

1 – The Giant’s Causeway: Located on the North Antrim Coast, the Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for its unique basalt columns and stunning coastal vistas.

2 – The Titanic Belfast Visitor Centre: The Titanic Belfast Visitor Centre presents the story of the Titanic, a famous ship constructed in this shipyard, providing an interactive experience featuring state of the art exhibits and structures.

3 – The walled city of Derry/Londonderry: This historical and cultural city features a storied past, with one of the most magnificent iconic walls, dating back to the 1600s, and stunning views of the River Foyle.

4 – Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge: This popular coastal attraction features a rope bridge, suspended over a dramatic chasm and clear seawater. It’s situated near the charming town of Ballintoy.

5 – The Causeway Coastal Route: This spectacular drive from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry covers over 120 miles of a diverse range of landscapes including high cliffs, beaches, verdant valleys, small fishing towns, and plenty of photo opportunities galore.

6 – The Dark Hedges: made famous in the set of Game of Thrones, the Dark Hedges is a beautiful avenue of trees that provides a picturesque border for what was once a private estate.

  7 – The Ulster Museum: The Ulster Museum is the largest museum in Northern Ireland, boasting a vast collection of historical artefacts and artworks, including the ancient and mediaeval period, and natural history exhibits.

  8 – The Marble Arch Caves: The Marble Arch Caves offers tourists an underground adventure, leading you on a guided tour of winding cave passageways, underground rivers and waterfalls.

9 – The St. Patrick’s Trail: Through the rolling hills of County Down and Armagh, the St. Patrick Trail gives visitors an understanding of St. Patrick’s life through landmarks, his writings

Northern Ireland offers several types of tourism, catering to diverse interests based on the visitors’ preferences. Here are some of the most popular types of tourism in Northern Ireland:

1 – Historical tourism: Northern Ireland has a rich history, and travellers are drawn to the region’s many historic landmarks and sites, such as the ancient castles, mediaeval churches, and sites connected to the Troubles and the Titanic.

2 – Rural tourism: Rural tourism is sought-after in Northern Ireland, with several picturesque landscapes like green valleys, rolling hills, and beaches, as well as a myriad of outdoor activities such as horse-riding, fishing, cycling, and walking.

3 – Cultural tourism: Northern Ireland is renowned for its unique and vibrant cultural heritage, including traditional music, literature, arts, and crafts like the world-renowned Linen-weaving heritage, joining craft fairs, and exhibitions.

4 – Adventure tourism: Visitors can enjoy various adventure tourism activities in Northern Ireland, such as rock climbing, ziplining, water sports, and glamping in some of the region’s most beautiful natural spots.

5 – Film tourism: The success of the HBO blockbuster Game of Thrones and other series filmed in Northern Ireland have led to an increase in tourist interest in filming locations and set tours of spots on locations like the Dark Hedges and Castle Ward.

6 – Religious tourism: Northern Ireland offers several religious landmarks and sites sacred to various religions, as well as pilgrimages to St. Patrick’s Trail, which traces the footsteps of the patron saint in northern Ireland, and other religious trails.

Tourism plays a critical role in the economy of Northern Ireland, generating substantial economic impacts and contributing to the region’s growth and prosperity. Here are some of the major economic impacts of tourism in Northern Ireland:

1 – Employment: Tourism is a significant source of employment in the region, employing over 65,000 people. The industry is responsible for 5% of the total workforce in Northern Ireland.

 2 – Revenue: The tourism industry generates significant revenue for the region’s economy, with visitors spending around £968 million in 2019. This revenue supports local communities and businesses in the region, contributing to their growth and development.

3 – Infrastructure and development: Tourism provides a stimulus for infrastructure and development in Northern Ireland. Investment in tourism can lead to the creation of new facilities, hotels, attractions, and other amenities that benefit both tourists and locals, creating a ripple effect of economic gains.

4 – Foreign exchange earnings: Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings for Northern Ireland, thus balancing imports by attracting international spending – and mitigating the strain on transferable currency.

5 – Regional development: Tourism is a catalyst for the development of regional areas, reducing regional disparities, and helping to provide an alternative destination for investment, growth and varied economic opportunities.

6 – Supporting the local economy: The growth of tourism has positive impacts on supply chains and supporting businesses in the industries of manufacturing, construction, transport, food and beverage.

1 – Cultural exchanges: Tourism provides opportunities for cultural exchanges with visitors from around the world, and between people from different regions within Northern Ireland. This can cultivate respect and understanding for different cultures and promote cultural awareness.

2 – Community engagement: Tourism encourages interaction between tourists and the local community, leading to the creation of new social bonds and relationships, and fostering support for local businesses.

3 – Infrastructure and amenities: Tourism provides opportunities for the development of infrastructure, essential amenities, and social services like hospitals, education and communication facilities, and other supporting needs, that benefits both visitors and the local community.

4 – Social tension: Although Tourism can drive community cohesion, it can also create social tension, particularly in the popular tourist destinations, where the presence of visitors and crowds can disrupt the local community’s daily life.

5 – Balancing tourism demand: The growth of tourism can create shifts in demographics, leading to overcrowding, changes in housing trends, and an increase in commodity costs like food, rentals and other basic products and services.

6 – Risks to cultural heritage: The growth of tourism can put stress on cultural heritage sites like historic buildings, ethnic practices and traditions, and other non-renewable assets, leading to the sites’ wear and tear.

1 – Carbon footprint: The transportation of visitors to Northern Ireland by planes, cars, and buses contributes to the carbon footprint, potentially leading to environmental degradation and global warming.

2 – Resource consumption: The growth of tourism in Northern Ireland can lead to high water consumption in the accommodation industry, responsible for waste, energy and water consumption, leading to the depletion of local resources, affecting valleys and streams across the region.

3 – Waste production: Tourism generates large amounts of solid waste, particularly in tourist hotspots, impacting the environment through the environmental impact of littering, pollution and plastics disposal.

4 – Preservation of natural resources: The natural beauty and ecotourism that Northern Ireland offers are major draw cards for visitors. However, the continued usage of these resources for tourism activities threatens to degrade the ecology, leading to declining habitats, and reduced biodiversity.

5 – Overexploitation of attractions: Vital attractions, cited for tourism purposes, and visited on a large scale, including the Giant’s Causeway, can suffer from wear and tear, leading to damage, soil erosion and further natural degradation.

6 – Environmental awareness: The growth of tourism can stimulate environmental awareness and can promote the stewardship of ecosystems and environment as responsible travel purposes become more prevalent among consumers.

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Northern Ireland, lets answer some of the most common questions on this topic:

1 – Q: What is the best time of year to visit Northern Ireland?

A: The best time to visit Northern Ireland is between June and August when the weather is warmer and the region’s natural beauty is at its best. However, the weather can be unpredictable, so visitors should pack appropriately.

2 – Q: What is the currency used in Northern Ireland ?

A: Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom uses Pound Sterling (GBP).

3 – Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Northern Ireland?

A: If you are travelling from an EU country No, however it’s important to check the visa requirements that are specific to your country of origin.

4 – Q: What is the main airport in Northern Ireland?

A: The main airport in Northern Ireland is Belfast International Airport, followed by Belfast City Airport.

5 – Q: Is Northern Ireland expensive to visit?

A: Northern Ireland’s cost of living is average to moderate, and the cost of visiting would generally depend on your travelling choices, ranging from accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and activities.

6 – Q: Is it safe to travel to Northern Ireland?

A: Northern Ireland is generally safe for tourists, but visitors should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

7 – Q: What is the typical time period for a visit to Northern Ireland?

A: Visitors typically stay for about seven to ten days to explore the region’s major attractions and get a taste of the Northern Irish way of life.

8 – Q:What are the must-see attractions in Northern Ireland?

A: Some of the top tourist attractions in Northern Ireland are the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, the walled city of Derry, and the Causeway Coastal Route.

9 – Q: What is the best way to get around Northern Ireland?

A: Public transportation, including trains and buses, can be an affordable way to explore Northern Ireland. It is also possible to hire a car or bicycle for a more bespoke or active way to see the region.

10 – Q: What is the cuisine like in Northern Ireland?

A: Northern Irish cuisine ranges from traditional dishes such as fish and chips, Irish stew, soda bread and potato dishes to refined modern dishes, with artisanal cheese, fresh seafood, and farm-to-table produce, showcasing the region’s top-quality produce.

If you have enjoyed this article about tourism in Northern Ireland, I am sure you will love these too:

• 30 Amazing Ireland Castles You Need To Visit
• 21 Important Facts About Coasts
• 20 Interesting Facts About Niger
• Happisburgh- 13 fascinating things you should know
• 15 most fascinating coasts in the UK

Liked this article? Click to share!