The decision of the UK Government to exit the European Union has had a significant impact on the tourism industry in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the repercussions of this decision have resulted in negative consequences for vacationing in the region. Northern Ireland now bears the cost of the UK’s decision as it struggles to cope with the fallout in the tourism sector.
Tourism in Northern Ireland
According to Politico, Northern Ireland has long faced challenges attracting foreign visitors and tour companies due to its history of instability and violence. However, since the signing of the 1998 peace agreement, which ended “The Troubles”, the Irish government has been committed to promoting tourism in Northern Ireland as part of their efforts towards reconciliation. To achieve this goal, Dublin and Belfast established Tourism Ireland, an all-island agency encouraging tourists to visit Northern Ireland.
Collaboration with the Republic of Ireland has proven to be a critical factor in Northern Ireland’s success in the tourism industry. Tourism Northern Ireland was recently awarded the prestigious Client Agency Collaboration Award at the All-Ireland Marketing Awards in 2023. This award, presented jointly to a client/agency, recognizes successful partnerships built on empathy, trust, shared mission, exceptional results and unlocking business potential.
Tourism NI collaborated with the BBDO advertising agency in Dublin to create an impactful marketing campaign. The submission for the award demonstrated how their collaboration had significantly contributed to Northern Ireland’s tourism. This recognition highlights the importance of strong partnerships in continuing to strengthen the economy of the island of Ireland.
Staying in Northern Ireland for EU citizens
The limitations on EU citizens regarding their ability to stay in Northern Ireland could potentially harm the region’s tourist industry and vacation opportunities. The Gov.UK website explains that individuals from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and their families, are eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if they wish to continue living in the UK.
In addition, those who have a family member that meets the eligibility criteria in Northern Ireland can also apply to the EU Settlement Scheme regardless of whether they are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen. Despite these measures, the restrictions on EU citizens’ freedom of movement may still negatively affect tourism in Northern Ireland.
Brexit and Common Travel Area
As Gove. i.e. Website says, the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. The UK left the EU after both sides concluded a Withdrawal Agreement to ease an orderly departure. Significant and permanent changes are due to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. The UK no longer applies the Single Market and Customs Union rules.
Citizens Information Website says Brexit has not affected the rights of Irish and UK citizens within the Common Travel Area. The right to work, live and access public services in the Common Travel Area is reserved. Your Common Travel Area rights do not extend to your family. This indicates that if your partner or spouse, or another relative, is not a UK or Irish UK citizen, they may have to apply for residence in the UK.
Brexit and tourism problems in Northern Ireland
As Politico reported, UK’s post-Brexit border plans have reportedly led to a decrease in tourists visiting Northern Ireland. Tourism authorities claim that most visitors to Ireland, especially Americans, now skip Belfast due to Brexit-related restrictions. Industry leaders have expressed concern that British immigration plans require foreign tourists to Northern Ireland to obtain advanced Electronic Travel Authorizations, hindering the region’s efforts to attract tourists across the Irish border. These measures have been included in the UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill.
Unfortunately, this plan will likely cause significant problems for hundreds of thousands of American visitors who land at Dublin Airport yearly. Under the new measures, all such visitors must complete online forms and pay fees to travel to Belfast. This process starkly contrasts the seamless experience between the two countries. Moreover, Britain’s post-Brexit plan to create a new online system for UK tourists ignores that most foreign tourists visit Northern Ireland as part of their trip to the Republic of Ireland.
In conclusion, the border controls put in place following Brexit could have severe ramifications for the tourism industry in Northern Ireland, particularly for visitors from the United States. Introducing these measures risks creating unnecessary barriers to tourism and overlooks the fact that many tourists view Northern Ireland as an integral part of their trip to the Republic of Ireland.
Tourism groups and cross-border visas for Northern Ireland
As Belfast Telegraph reports, tourism groups push for cross-border visa exemption for Northern Ireland. Proposed visa controls for travellers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have become a severe cross-border concern. Demand grows for an exemption in this regard.
Set to be introduced after Brexit, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has become a rising concern for businesses. Northern Ireland’s tourism sector also hopes to gain exemption for leisure and business tourists. There is a fear that any visa scheme could deter many foreign visitors.
Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance estimates that 70% of its overseas tourists arrive in Northern Ireland through the Republic of Ireland. This figure accounts for around 25% of total tourism spent here. The ETA requirement affects as many as one million tourists. The affected people evenly include overseas visitors and legal residents of the Republic who are neither British nor Irish citizens.
Rising costs: Threat to Northern Ireland’s tourism
Rising costs are another consequence of Brexit in Northern Ireland. This crisis can negatively affect tourism in the country. Tourism Northern Ireland Website says the outlook is generally of tourism is optimistic for 2023. However, detectable levels of concern exist regarding the impact of rising energy costs. The energy cost problem, increasing operating costs, and reducing people’s disposable income have led to difficult situations. In response to rising costs, nearly three in five businesses say they have to increase prices.
