Tourism NI launches summer support package to help tourism businesses thrive

Tourism NI launches summer support package to help tourism businesses thrive

With rising operating costs and continued uncertainty around international travel, there’s a real opportunity for Northern Ireland’s tourism industry to attract more visitors closer to home this summer. To help businesses make the most of the season, Tourism NI has introduced a comprehensive package of support designed to strengthen financial resilience while driving visitor demand across the island of Ireland.

Building stronger, more resilient businesses

At the heart of the initiative is Tourism NI’s new Business Resilience Programme, offering tourism businesses practical financial support to help them navigate current challenges and plan confidently for the future. Participants will receive direct access to an independent financial expert who will work with them to identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve long-term financial sustainability. Each participating business will benefit from:

• A personalised Financial Health Check, providing a bespoke action plan tailored to their business.
• Three hours of one-to-one mentoring with a financial specialist.
• Expert guidance on reviewing cost centres and improving financial resilience.

The programme has been designed to provide practical, actionable advice that businesses can implement immediately while helping them prepare for long-term success.

Inspiring visitors to choose Northern Ireland

Alongside business support, Tourism NI is investing in a vibrant summer marketing campaign throughout June, aimed at encouraging people across the island of Ireland to book short breaks and enjoy memorable days out in Northern Ireland. The campaign will showcase the very best of what the destination has to offer, from stunning landscapes and iconic attractions to unique experiences, events and places to stay. It will highlight the quality, value and accessibility of local tourism experiences, encouraging both spontaneous getaways and planned summer escapes.

Delivered across digital, social media, PR and Tourism NI’s own channels, the campaign will also feature more than 100 industry offers, helping businesses attract even more visitors during the busy summer months.

By the end of the campaign, Tourism NI expects to achieve:

• 3 million campaign impacts
• 20 million digital impressions
• PR reach of 70,000 across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Additional resources to reduce costs

Tourism businesses can also access a range of free practical resources to help improve efficiency and lower operating costs. Tourism NI’s Leaner and Greener quick download guides provide advice on auditing, benchmarking and monitoring energy use, water consumption, waste and food waste management, helping businesses identify opportunities to reduce both environmental impact and expenses.

A series of free webinars is also available, covering essential business topics such as:

• Taking control of your business finances
• Organising your business taxes
• Funding your business

These webinars can be accessed anytime via Tourism NI’s YouTube channel.

As businesses prepare for the busy summer season, this combined package of financial support, practical resources and destination marketing aims to help the tourism industry build resilience while welcoming more visitors to experience everything Northern Ireland has to offer.

Gerry O’Boyle and associates are Accountants from Bangor and Newtownards forming O’Boyle Accounting & Taxation, specialising in saving tax and other costs for small businesses.