Economic Impact of Tourism

Tourism is a significant driver for Northern Ireland. It generates wealth, jobs, exports, civic pride and innovation.

Tourist visitors along Derry-Londonderry City Walls

The reports in this section provide detailed information on tourism’s positive impact on the Northern Ireland economy.

NISRA Tourism Satellite Account

The Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA) Tourism Satellite Account provides economic information about the demand for goods and services associated with tourism, and their contribution to the NI economy.

Key Points

  • The total value of NI Gross Value Added (GVA) for NI for 2019 equated to £43.7 bn. Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) was £920 million in 2019, equating to 2.1% of the GVA for the total NI economy.
  • The number of full-time equivalent employees working in tourism industries was around 75,000. There were 27,000 tourism direct employees which equated to 22,000 tourism direct full-time equivalent jobs.
  • Expenditure by inbound visitors to NI was £804 million in 2019 in current prices, with overnight visitors accounting for 91% of this total.
  • Domestic tourism expenditure by NI residents was £1.8 billion, with overnight visitors spending 53%.
  • Outbound tourism expenditure by NI residents was £1.9 billion, with overnight trips accounting for 96%.

Read more here.