British-Irish Visa Scheme Launched

Visitors from China and India will be able to travel freely between the UK and Republic of Ireland under a new British-Irish Visa scheme.

It is understood that the scheme is the result of collaboration and an effort to cut down on the level of bureaucracy and restriction visitors face.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "The introduction of the British-Irish Visa Scheme is really good news, making it easier than ever before for visitors from China and India to visit Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland. It is a significant step in helping us to grow visitor numbers from these markets – whether those visitors wish to travel here for sightseeing, golf or as business tourists.

"For the island of Ireland, the majority of our overseas visitors come from Great Britain, North America and Mainland Europe, and while this will continue, it is important that we expand our focus beyond these markets and look to the long-term opportunities presented by new tourism markets, particularly China and India, which we believe will play an increasingly important role for travel and tourism. Given that visitors from these markets are travelling a considerable distance, and often want to include more than one destination on their itinerary, it makes sense to make it as easy as possible for them to visit both Ireland and the UK on a single visa. We will be working closely with our colleagues in VisitBritain, to leverage the benefits of the new scheme in both India and China."

(MH/CD)