News

Businesses invited to find out about Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Experience Development Programme

Wed, November 09, 2022

Do you have a tourism business based in Causeway Coast and Glens?

Would you like guidance and support to develop a new experience for visitors to enjoy?

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Destination Team is now seeking suitable participants for its latest Tourism Experience Development Programme.

The initiative is part of Council’s commitment to the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector, and a desire to create greater sustainability and growth.

The programme was first introduced last year through funding from Tourism NI, and so far it has helped to create 13 innovative tourism experiences, involving everything from photography, hurling, and traditional music, to meditation, a mobile sea sauna and snorkelling.

Collectively, they aim to help visitors explore more of Causeway Coast and Glens in new and engaging ways.

Due to its success, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is now funding a second round of the programme, and is keen to hear from new potential partners.

Experiences may be across different locations, and can be guided, self-guided, within a workshop setting or incorporate local food, drink, and accommodation to offer an end-to-end holistic product, to include:

• arts and crafts providers
• artisan food providers, covering foragers, farmers, and providers of outdoor food/drink experiences
• wellbeing experiences
• guided walks and eco-trails
• dawn, evening, and night sky experiences
• water and land-based outdoor activities

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace said: “We have been very pleased by the success of the Tourism Experience Development programme so far, and we are keen to build on this momentum.

“We want to encourage visitors to actively immerse themselves in our locale, where they can interact with local communities, and learn the history and stories of our place.

“Utilising the versatility and variety of the area’s tourism providers, we want to work collaboratively with them to enhance our offering to make our destination a stand-out choice for new and returning domestic and international visitors.”

Destination Manager Kerrie McGonigle added: “Tourism NI’s Embrace a Giant Spirit campaign is a a key focus for attracting international visitors, and it is encouraging that new experiences developed here in Causeway Coast and Glens are a part of this.

"We want to build a lasting legacy across the destination and this programme creates a stepping stone for future growth from visitor markets beyond Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

“Along with increased visitor numbers and spend, it is hoped the project will elongate our visitor season, encourage increased dwell time, and provide opportunities for job creation and employment.

“It is an exciting opportunity for our trade partners, and we are keen to hear from new participants so please get in touch to find out more and see how this programme might help you to enhance your visitor offering."

To register your interest in the programme Email your name, business name and location within Causeway Coast and Glens to caroline@runda.ie simply stating that you are interested in hearing more about the Tourism Experience Development Programme.

Tourism businesses that benefited from Experience Development programmes 2021/ 2022