Tourism in Northern Ireland ‘risks £210m loss a year’ as new border travel arrangement comes into force

It’s feared the new paperwork will impede the flow of international tourists into NI from the Republic, who until now have been able to travel north without separate requirements.

And Economy Minister Conor Murphy said he was again urging the Home Office against implementing its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme here, citing a “devastating” impact on tourism.

He said even an exemption for travel into NI for up to seven days would be a help, and cited a temporary UK-wide exemption for EU school groups as an example of how the rules can be amended.

From January 8, non-European travellers must have an ETA costing £10 per person for entry into any part of the UK. It will be required for European travellers from April.

Mr Murphy said he had held a meeting with Seema Malhotra MP, Home Office Minister for Migration and Citizenship, to outline his concerns. And he said there was now new evidence of the anticipated effects on tourism in NI.

The Minister said: “I have made it clear to Minister Malhotra that solutions to the ETA Scheme are needed to protect the north’s tourism sector.

“Ideally a complete exemption should be introduced for those crossing into the north but not travelling on to Britain.

“At the very least a time-limited exemption for people visiting up to seven days would cover most of our international visitors.

“The existing exemption for French school groups shows that a solution is perfectly possible. A similar, pragmatic, and flexible approach could be taken by the Home Office to avoid damaging tourism growth in the north.”

According to DfE, Tourism Ireland Sentiment Research across international markets found the ETA requirements would mean that one in four people in Europe, and one in five people in North America say they would make the decision not to travel.

The Minister added: “Our all-island economy is vital, and seamless all-island travel is key to building on the growth we have seen in our tourism sector.

“I share the strong concerns expressed by the tourism and travel industry here and will continue to press the British Government for a solution to this challenging issue.”

Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast and chair of the NI Tourism Alliance (NITA), called the scheme a “substantial threat to NI’s tourism sector”.

“With approximately 70% of our international visitors entering via the Republic of Ireland and crossing the land border, the additional requirement of obtaining an ETA could deter many from including Northern Ireland in their travel plans.

“This not only jeopardises an estimated £210m in annual revenue but also risks diminishing our global tourism appeal.

“These visitors represent approximately 1% of total international visitors to the UK and we urgently call on the UK Government to agree to an exemption to mitigate these adverse impacts and safeguard the future of our tourism industry.”

The ETA scheme was introduced by the old Conservative government under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, and applies whether travellers arrive into a UK port or ferry or via the border with the Republic.

DfE said 67% of Northern Ireland’s overseas travellers arrive via the Republic. However, UK and Irish citizens, and permanent Irish residents, will not require an ETA.

A Government spokesperson said: “ETAs will deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.

“We are committed to working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the ETA requirement is communicated effectively and to mitigate against it being seen as a barrier to cross-border tourism on Ireland.”

Alliance Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood reiterated her call for the Government to introduce a tailored exemption to the scheme for tourism on the island of Ireland.

Ms Eastwood has said: “Seamless cross-border travel is vital to Northern Ireland’s tourism industry, with 70% of international visitors entering via the Republic of Ireland.

“As recognised by previous UK Immigration Ministers, the ETA scheme introduces unnecessary bureaucracy that could discourage visitors from coming here.

“Tourism is already facing significant challenges, not least in the form of a planned hike in National Insurance contributions, and we cannot afford a policy that jeopardises £210m in annual revenue. The choice to proceed with unmitigated implementation of this is incredibly disappointing.

“Under the last UK Government, Alliance made vital progress in securing an exemption for non-visa third-country permanent residents in the Republic of Ireland. This was a recognition of the unique circumstances of the island, and now the government has the opportunity to build on that by offering a short-term ETA exemption for visitors to Northern Ireland, such as a five-to-seven-day window.

“This would allow us to remain competitive without undermining UK border security. It’s a practical and proportionate solution the government must urgently consider.

“All-island tourism is marketed internationally under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, and as a co-guarantor of the Agreement, the UK Government has a duty to uphold its spirit by ensuring seamless cross-border travel.

“I will continue to push for a fair solution that protects our tourism sector and ensures Northern Ireland remains an attractive destination for international visitors.”