A new report from Ulster University and Dublin City University highlights the value of both domestic and international tourism to the island.Ana Desmond, Senior Economist at the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, and one of the authors of the report said the tourism sector has seen remarkable growth and resilience in the last number of years.
According to the report, the number of cross border visits made to Northern Ireland has tripled in the last decade.The report states that a range of performance gaps continue to lead to greater economic impact in the Republic than in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, visitors to Northern Ireland are more likely to be visiting friends or relatives rather than on holiday or a business trip, which means less spending on things like accommodation.
The research paper notes that Northern Ireland has a lower starting point for tourism growth and development, given the legacy of conflict in the region, but states that continued cross-border cooperation has the potential to unlock long-term growth across the island.