£800m of business lost to tourism due to pandemic in Northern Ireland The tourism industry will be hoping attractions including the Giant s Causeway will help with recovery following the coronavirus lockdown Rebecca Black, PA
Looking up at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Almost a billion pounds has been lost in tourism in Northern Ireland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a Stormont committee has heard.
A senior figure in tourism said the industry had not expected the health crisis to have lasted as long but emphasised a position of “real hope” with the rollout of the vaccination programme.
Dr Joanne Stuart, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, said there is now a need to “look beyond Covid”.
Almost a billion pounds has been lost in tourism in Northern Ireland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a Stormont committee has heard.
A senior figure in tourism said the industry had not expected the health crisis to have lasted as long but emphasised a position of “real hope” with the rollout of the vaccination programme.
Dr Joanne Stuart, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, said there is now a need to “look beyond Covid”.
She told Stormont’s Economy Committee that it is hoped the tourism industry will have restarted by summer, with a focus on the Great Britain market.