Skip to Content
17 October 2025

GB tour operators discover Northern Ireland’s rich history and heritage

Nine (9) GB tour operators have been exploring Northern Ireland this week, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI. They are taking part in a fact-finding visit, to experience for themselves the high standard and variety of our tourism offering – from world-famous landmarks to immersive cultural experiences – and to inspire new additions to their travel programmes.

The group’s action-packed itinerary includes the Giant’s Causeway, a traditional baking experience with Bakehouse NI, a visit to GORTA – Swatragh’s Famine Story, ‘The Emigrant’s Walk’ on Carntogher Mountain with local expert and guide Cathy O’Neill and the Ulster American Folk Park. Blessingbourne Country Estate and a tour around Belfast also feature on their busy programme.  

Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s Acting Head of GB, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted to welcome this group of valuable GB tour operators to explore Northern Ireland’s superb history and heritage. Our aim is to inspire them to extend the Northern Ireland content of their existing programmes and itineraries, or to include Northern Ireland for the first time in their programmes – helping to secure a greater share of their business for Northern Ireland in 2026 and beyond.” 

GB tour operators at Blessingbourne Country Estate, with owners Nick Lowry (back, left) and Colleen Lowry (front, second right); and Breige Coward, Tourism Ireland (front, right).

Notes to Editors:

  • Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.
  • NISRA figures for 2024 confirm that overseas tourism to Northern Ireland contributed £633 million to the economy, driven by 2 million overseas tourists, with overseas as 58% of total tourism revenue.
  • Tourism Ireland’s international website is www.ireland.com, with 21 market sites available in 18 different countries, as well as one international site, in seven language versions around the world.
  • Tourism Ireland is an agency of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in Ireland.