The Northern Ireland tourism sector risks returning to pre-peace agreement visitor patterns if the region is not exempted from the UK’s new visa waiver scheme, a Stormont minister has warned.
Economy minister Conor Murphy said this summer’s Open Championship golf tournament in Portrush could be one of the first high-profile events to suffer due to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement, with international visitors to the island opting not to travel north to take in the sporting showpiece.
Mr Murphy described the scheme as a “real kick in the teeth” for the local tourism sector, claiming it will act as a bureaucratic and financial disincentive for overseas tourists considering a visit to Northern Ireland.
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