‘Hotels an integral part of tourism jigsaw’

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced the creation of the group to lead the planning and preparations for the recovery of tourism in the north after the COVID crisis.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism and hospitality industry employed 65,000 people and generated £1 billion in revenue in 2019.

The closing of borders and air routes, and the lockdown of entire regions, has resulted in a total loss of demand in tourism markets.

Ms. Gault, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), who is from Derry, said: “We have been lobbying for such a group over the last number of weeks. As a sector, hotels are keen to play their part in the road to recovery working in partnership with the wider tourism industry and Government.

“A collaborative grouping of this nature will allow exploration of tourism recovery options, an analysis of the assistance the industry requires and the actions required to maximise the economic potential of the industry as lockdown is lifted.

“There will be changes in how businesses is done and it is important that the sector has a clear understanding of what recovery involves in the short, medium and long term.”

Mrs. Dodds said the current crisis was exacerbated by the seasonal nature of the local tourism offer as it comes at the end of the low season when businesses’ cash reserves are at their lowest and the spring and summer seasons, in which the sector does 70% of its business, have effectively been lost.

“I believe the time is now right to establish a Tourism Recovery Steering Group. Given the scale and complexity of the challenges, government and industry need to work together to design and deliver a Northern Ireland tourism recovery plan.

“I look forward to working with key stakeholders in the tourism industry to facilitate the recovery of this very important sector,” she said.

Financial support currently available includes £10,000 small business grants and grants of £25,000 are also being provided to around 4,000 companies in the north in the retail, tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors with a rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000.

Applications to that scheme opened on Monday.

Mrs. Dodds said: “Once current restrictions begin to lift, and the impact of the virus begins to recede, NI’s tourism sector will have an important role to play in our economic recovery.”

Ms. Gault said: “We welcome Minister Dodds commitment to the sector and her recognition of its role as an economic driver and supporter of 10% of the jobs in NI. Hotels have invested in the region of £600m over the last five years, creating over 2,000 new jobs. Hotels are an integral part of the Tourism jigsaw underpinning visitor travel. These are challenging times but it is important that Tourism is seen as a key contributor in NI’s economic future.”