Patsy McGlone 23rd March 2012

Written Answer from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Hospitality Trade

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what (i) financial assistance; (ii) advice; and (iii) training her Department or its arm's-length bodies provide for the hospitality trade.

(AQW 9394/11-15)

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:  Hospitality businesses can access an extensive range of assistance via my Department’s arm’s length bodies - the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), Invest NI and Tourism Ireland. Examples of assistance provided to hospitality businesses include:

NITB grant aid via the Tourism Development Scheme and Events Fund; NITB’s Industry Development Programme (including Masterclasses and Learning Journeys); participation in an accommodation Quality Assurance Scheme; and a broad range of NITB advice such as start up guidance for B&B providers, signposting to initiatives and training opportunities, the provision of guidance on the development of sustainable tourism and green accreditation schemes;

Invest NI grant support for qualifying tourist accommodation projects; Invest NI advice and financial support for qualifying businesses to help improve business processes, skills development and training, marketing, e-commerce, knowledge management, energy efficiency and environmental practices; and

Tourism Ireland’s assistance in helping to promote hospitality businesses in 22 markets overseas, including attendance at overseas consumer and trade fairs, co-operative marketing opportunities, features in consumer and business tourism ezines and publicity opportunities.

ENDS