£2million Tourism Innovation Fund Can Bring Local Stories to Life

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster today launched a £2million Tourism Innovation Fund to support tourism projects which will attract more visitors to Northern Ireland.

The fund aims to help revenue projects to grow tourism, stimulate product development and improve the visitor experience with a particular focus on bringing local stories to life.

As part of the launch, the Minister visited the famous CS Lewis statue in Belfast to see first-hand how Northern Ireland’s unique stories can be brought to life for visitors. Launching the fund Arlene Foster said: “The aim of the Innovation Fund is to enhance the growth, quality, competitiveness and sustainability of tourism in Northern Ireland by stimulating product development and improving the visitor experience.

“During these challenging economic times it is great to see such a scheme aiming to help businesses in the tourism industry to grow and in turn, improve the visitor experience in Northern Ireland.”

Howard Hastings, Chairman of NITB said: “I am delighted that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is able to deliver a scheme that can make a real difference to local tourism businesses and directly impact the visitor experience in such a positive way.

“This scheme will encourage unique, individual and compelling reasons for visitors to come to Northern Ireland and return in the future. It will focus on revenue projects such as creative interpretation and innovative ways to showcase our many tourism products.

“We are seeking revenue projects which provide innovative and creative solutions to market demands. With grant levels starting at £20,000 and up to a maximum of £150,000, this is a real opportunity for tourism businesses in Northern Ireland and I encourage organisations to find out more about this scheme.”

For further information on the Tourism Innovation Fund visit www.nitb.com/tif.

Notes to Editors:

1. Financial assistance will be provided through the European Sustainable Competiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013. The scheme will be administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and delivered under the Tourism Development Scheme guidelines.

2. The fund will provide financial assistance, through an open call process, for non-capital projects.

3. Eligible Project Categories: (full explanation at www.nitb.com/tif):

Visitor Servicing Initiatives

Aim: To present unique, individual and compelling experiences for visitors to Northern Ireland Product Planning And Development

Aim: To develop potential product innovation projects Accreditation Schemes

Aim: To raise and improve quality standards

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