Developing Experiential Tourism - Embrace a Giant Spirit
Find out more about the 'Northern Ireland brand - Embrace a Giant Spirit' on the Tourism NI website. Check if your experience or product aligns with the brand via the guidelines and by exploring the development toolkit or perhaps you would like to develop an experience or be part of the portfolio? Please contact Zoe Lindsay, Tourism Business Engagement Officer who is the brand ambassador for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to discuss further. E: zoe.lindsay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
New tourism experience businesses wanting to enter the EAGS Experience Portfolio can also complete an expression of interest but must take note of eligibility criteria. Full details here. A useful Embrace a Giant Spirit - Experience Development Update webinar from Tourism NI is also available.
Submit Promotions to National Tourism Bodies
Tourism NI is responsible for the marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination to domestic tourists, from within Northern Ireland, and to visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Make sure you are signed up to their mailing list to be kept informed. Also check out their useful webinar on Maximising Opportunities from Tourism NI Marketing Campaigns.
Tourism Ireland devises and delivers world-class marketing programmes in 21 markets across the world. Industry opportunities can be found online here.
Visit Britain plays a unique role raising Britain’s profile worldwide, increasing the volume and value of tourism exports and developing England and Britain’s visitor economy. Check out their marketing campaigns page to see how you can get involved.
All the above organisations’ run marketing campaigns throughout the year and do call outs for industry participation so you are encouraged to avail of these opportunities.
Examples: Tourism Ireland Green Button Campaign (2022); Tourism NI A Small Step to a Giant Adventure (2020), #RediscoverMEA (2020).
Offers can also be added to discovernorthernireland.com under different categories by completed and returning a template form to tidi@tourismni.com. Check offer examples here.
Please note:
By promotion and offers we do not necessarily mean price discounts, but rather special offerings e.g. 2 night stay with a picnic lunch / afternoon tea to go walking locally OR 2 nights B&B, 1 dinner & visit to a local attraction OR 2 night stay plus complimentary bike hire to discover the local area OR 2 for 1 or family of 4 for £xxxx to visit a specific attraction.
Causeway Coastal Route Travel Trade Group Experiences Guide
Experience providers are encouraged to submit authentic, unique and local experiences suitable for travel trade for inclusion in this annual guide which is circulated at trade shows and to tour operators from October onwards. Explore Castles, Culture, Food & Drink, Creative or Land and Water Activities with people who are passionate about their work and the area in which they live. The 2024 guide is available to download here.
MEA Tourism Marketing Campaigns
The MEA tourism team plan, develop and implement marketing campaigns and communications to promote our destination and tourism businesses, initiatives and events in the area under the Shaped by Sea and Stone brand. We are also responsible for the creation of destination marketing literature.
All opportunities for involvement are communicated to businesses registered on our mailing lists.
Attendance at Industry Shows
Tourism NI’s Business Solutions team provide industry with opportunities to engage with overseas tour operators e.g. Meet the Buyer (annually in March) or through regular industry FAM trips or media visits.
MEA tourism team partner with Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI at trade and consumer events in domestic and out of state markets to raise awareness of the destination and its tourism providers. All opportunities for potential industry involvement are communicated to businesses registered on our mailing lists.
Check out Tourism NI's Top Ten Tips for participating in trade shows.
Know your Target Markets
All information for targetting the NI Domestic market can be found here. Useful videos outlining key characteristics around segments such as Natural Quality Seekers; Aspiring Families and Social Instagrammers are particularly useful.
For the ROI market further information can be found here.
Tourism Ireland has developed a detailed and in-depth understanding of our key overseas markets and the best-prospect consumers within them, as well as any significant changes taking place, which they are happy to share with partners in the industry. More details available here.
