Survey Finds NI Exceeds Tourist Expectations

As Northern Ireland's reputation as a popular tourist location grows, a new study has found that the region is continuing to exceed visitor expectations.

A friendly welcome, top quality accommodation, value for money and great customer service were all factors that helped the region impress 97% of leisure visitors.

The Tourism NI Visitor Attitude Survey was conducted among a cohort of visitors to the region and provides a detailed insight into how they enjoyed their time here.

The friendliness of local people and staff had a significant impact in ensuring leisure visitors had a positive experience. Responding visitors all marked different factors relating to Northern Ireland's friendliness at over eight marks out of ten. These included:

• Feeling welcomed on arrival- 8.11

• Experiencing welcoming and friendly staff when eating out- 8.54

• Professional and friendly taxi drivers- 8.68, and bus drivers- 8.49

• Friendly welcome from staff at accommodation- 8.87

In addition, 94% reported that their accommodation also met or exceeded expectations with quality, value for money and customer service all scoring over eight out of ten.

The most popular reasons for choosing Northern Ireland as a destination were to visit a specific attraction, to see the beautiful scenery and landscapes and to explore the local history and culture. 

Local attractions also scored highly, again at more than eight out of ten, with people finding attractions enjoyable and interesting (8.34). Notably, 87% of leisure visitors travelling with family said that Northern Ireland's attractions were family friendly for all ages. The cleanliness of beaches also scored well (8.41) with Northern Ireland's beautiful scenery/ landscapes scoring 8.82 out of ten.

The positive feedback comes as Northern Ireland prepares to welcome an anticipated 215,000 tourists as Royal Portrush hosts the 148th Open later this month.

Launching the survey findings, Aine Kearney, Tourism NI Director of Business Support and Events, said: "As we prepare to host one of the world's major sporting events of the year, and the biggest event ever to be staged here, it is clear that local people and those who work across the tourism and hospitality sector play a major part in the success of Northern Ireland's tourism offering, as evidenced by the results of our Visitor Attitude Survey. We want to ensure that those visiting for The Open have the same positive experience that will enable them to recommend Northern Ireland as a must-see destination for friends and family so that we see a high level of repeat business in the years ahead.

"Overall these findings demonstrate that Northern Ireland has a tourism offering to be proud of that can attract people from across the world to visit. Once here, it is the welcome they receive and the friendliness, professionalism and experience they have with local people and staff, be it in a hotel, café, bus, taxi or anywhere else that leads them to recommend Northern Ireland."



(JG/CM)