Industry associations and bodies

Business Development

Invest NI – www.investni.com

Invest NI is the business development agency for Northern Ireland. It aims to grow the local economy by supporting new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland

NIBusinessInfo - www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/

NIBusinessInfo is the official online channel for business advice and guidance in Northern Ireland provided by Invest NI. It delivers up-to-date information and practical advice on a range of topics including starting up, finance and grants, employment and skills development, workplace health and safety, sales and marketing, international trade and growing your business, etc.

Regional tourism partnerships and organisations

The following regional tourism partnerships and organisations support their members in providing assistance with tourism product development and in marketing local tourism providers at a regional and international level.

Visit Belfast - www.visit-belfast.com

Visit Derry - www.visitderry.com

Fermanagh Lakelands Tourism - www.fermanaghlakelands.com

Tourist Accommodation Associations

Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) - www.nihf.co.uk

The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation is a not-for-profit limited company representing the hotel and guesthouse sectors in Northern Ireland. Its main roles are identifying and reviewing issues affecting the hospitality industry and lobbying on the economic and employment opportunities of tourism.

Northern Ireland Bed and Breakfast Partnership (NIBBP)

NIBBP’s vision is to actively represent and further the business interests of the bed and breakfast and guest house industry in Northern Ireland. The partnership provides members with an open forum for sharing of knowledge and giving informed, single voice representation of the NI Bed and Breakfast sector at all levels of Government on matters relating to the ability of members to operate effectively. For more information, contact Valerie Gamble from Honeysuckle Cottage on 079 1949 3938 or at honeysucklecottage@hotmail.co.uk.

British Holiday and Home Parks Association - www.bhhpa.org.uk

The British Holiday & Home Parks represents the interests of the British parks industry. Membership is made up of the owners and managers of park home estates, touring and tenting parks, caravan holiday home parks, chalet parks and all types of self-catering accommodation.

National Caravan Council - www.nationalcaravan.co.uk

The National Caravan Council is the representative trade body for the UK caravan and motorhome industries, covering touring caravans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and residential park homes, all of which are legally defined as a caravan. Member companies come from all sectors of the industry, including manufacturers, retailers, distributors, park operators and specialist suppliers of products and services to the industry. Please see further information on the classification of caravan and camping parks in Northern Ireland. 

Activity Tourism Associations

Outscape - www.out-scape.com

Outscape is an organisation which brings together all groups and bodies, which have an interest, or involvement, in outdoor recreation in Northern Ireland. Outscape make it easier for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors through advocacy,  developing frameworks at regional and national level, planning and creating high-quality trails and offering sector training. Outscapes’ vision is ‘A more active and healthy society appreciating the outdoors.’

Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) - www.igtoa.com

IGTOA represents local golf tour operators who promote Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a golf tourism destination.

International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) - www.iagto.com

IAGTO is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry. IAGTO's membership comprises 2463 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, approved media and business partners in 97 countries including, at its core, 662 specialist golf tour operators in 64 countries.

Loughs Agency – www.loughs-agency.org

The Loughs Agency is a cross-border body, exercising a statutory remit for conservation, protection and development across the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. The agency’s objectives for these river systems and sea areas include development of fisheries and aquaculture, conservation and protection of inland fisheries and sustainable development of marine tourism.

Waterways Ireland - www.waterwaysireland.org

Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes.

Food and Drink industry associations

Hospitality Ulster – www.hospitalityulster.org

Hospitality Ulster is the professional body of the retail licensed trade in Northern Ireland, with members drawn from pubs, bars, café-bars, hotels and restaurants. The body aims to protect the integrity and sustainability of the unique social and cultural heritage of the retail licensed trade in Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Association (NIFDA) - www.nifda.co.uk

NIFDA is a voluntary organisation committed to helping Northern Ireland food and beverage companies compete successfully and to represent and promote their interests. It was established to provide services to enhance, promote, inform, educate and develop member business.

Food NI – www.nigoodfood.com

Food NI provides a single promotional voice for Northern Ireland’s food and drink. The organisation works to enhance the reputation of Northern Ireland’s food and drink through the Taste of Ulster and Our Food So Good messages

Tour guides

Tour Guides NI - tourguidesni.com

Tour Guides NI is a recently established Tour Guiding Body to act as a vehicle of progression for Northern Ireland Tour Guides. The vision is to create a broad, professional organisation to enhance the role of tour guiding within the rapidly growing tourism landscape in line with the recommendations of a Guiding. Tours can be delivered in a variety of ways; Walking, Taxi, Driver/Guides and by Coach

Northern Ireland Tourist Guiding Association - www.nitga.co.uk

NITGA is the professional guiding body in NI and works closely with tour operators, coach operators, the hotel industry and the tourist attractions located within Northern Ireland. NITGA believe that the services of a qualified tourist guide are one of the key elements that make a good holiday or tour a great holiday or tour.

Skills and training bodies

People 1st - http://www.people1st.co.uk/nations-and-skills-strategies/northern-ireland

People 1st is the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism.

People 1st are working to transform skills in the sector, particularly in the areas of management and leadership, customer service and craft/technical skills. People 1st are committed to ensuring that public funds support the industry to develop only those qualifications and programmes that meet the needs of employers.

Tourism Bodies

Tourism Ireland - www.tourismireland.com

Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland in Great Britain and overseas, increasing tourism to the island and supporting Northern Ireland to realise its potential. Tourism Ireland engages in strategic destination marketing on a worldwide basis and works in close cooperation with travel trade, online operators, media, carriers and industry partners on the island and overseas.

Visit Britain - www.visitbritain.org

VisitBritain is the national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. A non-departmental public body, funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, VisitBritain works with partners in the UK and overseas to ensure that Britain is marketed in an inspirational and relevant way around the world. VisitBritain's partners include Government agencies such as UKTI, airlines and operators, global brands, and official tourism bodies in regions throughout the UK.

Visitor Information Centres

There are 31 Visitor Information Centres (VICs) throughout Northern Ireland. The VIC network is a highly effective means of influencing visitors by promoting the local area and tourism product offering. The VIC network provide free tourist information, accommodation booking services, ticket sales for events and tours, sales of local grafts and souvenirs, and bureau de change facilities.