Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy – in his role as Northern Ireland Economy Minister – is continuing to push for the North to be excluded from the UK’s new digital travel permit plan, warning that if not it could have a devastating impact on NI tourism.
Mr Murphy has been joined, in his concern, by tourism chiefs including the head of Tourism Ireland.
The new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme – ETA – is due to come into force, in the UK, next Wednesday.
While the British Government says it will allow for a more secure immigration system, the scheme will also have consequences for tourism, as visitors to the UK from a further 48 countries will need to apply for a £10 ETA before travelling to the country.
Tourism leaders in Northern Ireland are concerned as 70% of international tourists to NI arrive from the Republic, after travelling and visiting here first, but could be put off from continuing north for the sake of the added logistical hassle.
Minister Murphy pointed out, this week, that overseas tourists generate more than £200m a year for the NI economy and that the island of Ireland is marketed, in tourism terms, as one entity – meaning there should be some form of exemption to the rule for NI tourism.
Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle, in Derry, during the week, Tourism Ireland CEO Alice Mansergh said “the extra step” being put in place for visitors to the island of Ireland to simply travel from south to north shouldn’t become a deterrent to visit any part of the island.
Other industry sources said the current seamless travel opportunity between the Republic and the North is vital if Northern Ireland tourism is to continue to thrive.
