Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 15 Mawrth 2017.
What steps his Department is taking to promote tourism in Northern Ireland.
The Government will continue to use every possible opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a world-class tourist destination.
Tourism in Northern Ireland apparently generates a revenue of £764 million and attracts 4.5 million visitors a year. In the light of Brexit, what steps will be taken in partnership to ensure that even further tourist growth is delivered?
We have a commitment to an industrial strategy, engagement with all sectors in Northern Ireland, and additional funding of some £600 million a year for the GREAT Britain campaign.
Does the Secretary of State accept that tourism has the potential to make an even more significant contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, particularly in deprived rural areas? Will he take steps to ensure that adequate resources are invested in the Northern Ireland tourist board and in Tourism Ireland to ensure that we have a product and that we market it?
Just last week, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor committed additional money to funding in Northern Ireland. There is a responsibility to get the Executive back to offer leadership in this matter. I urge every Member in this House to visit Northern Ireland—take a weekend break—as it is an amazing place to visit.
Finally, constraints of time are against us, but Sir Jeffrey Donaldson must be heard.