AS the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus soars across the UK, the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) confirmed it is holding an emergency summit for its members on Tuesday March 10 to demand that Economy Minister Diane Dodds supports action to protect the summer holiday season for the north's billion pound tourism industry.
NITA chief executive Joanne Stuart said that the outbreak is already affecting the travel arrangements of tourists planning to visit Northern Ireland, with the industry experiencing cancellations and ‘no-shows’ already.
And she insists it requires a proactive approach in taking the opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to holiday makers in GB and Ireland.
“Failte Ireland are currently investing significantly more than Tourism NI and are running a promotional campaign for 40 weeks compared to our 12 weeks,” she said.
“We need to increase our marketing effort in GB and Ireland which will require additional investment to raise awareness of the great experience visitors can have in Northern Ireland, right on their doorstep.
“It is also imperative we develop initiatives to support tourism organisations financially.
“Traditionally January to March are the quietest in the tourism calendar, but we are already seeing cancellations well into the summer season, which will impact significantly on cash flow and reserves.
“The majority of businesses in tourism are SMEs and will not have the financial reserves to see them through this year.
“We are confident that once the coronavirus risk recedes, tourism will bounce back, as it did following the Sars outbreak in 2002/2003.
“But it is imperative the government puts plans and initiatives in place to provide support for our tourism businesses during this difficult time,” she added.
Tourism in the north - which had three million visits inn 2019 - currently supports more than 65,000 jobs, two thirds of which are outside Belfast.
