Tourism NI have published findings from their November Industry Survey. This survey is intended to help monitor industry performance for the year to date, assess expectations, determine causes for concern and help inform the development of future industry support.
Positive visitor volumes
Overall, positive visitor volumes were reported for the closer to home and international markets with an optimistic outlook regarding the rest of the year and 2024.
- Close to half of businesses reported higher turnover Jan-Sept 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, about a third indicated their turnover was at the same level, whilst nearly a fifth reported a decrease.
- Over 8 in 10 businesses have seen international visitor volumes either exceed (44%) or match (38%) 2022 levels, with just under one fifth reporting a decline on the previous year.
Challenging operating environment
Main operating challenges were:
- Energy costs (29%) was the main cause for concern, and a reduction in people’s disposable income (28%).
- Nearly half of businesses reported that they have increased their prices or intend to do so due to rising operating costs and rising cost of living for consumers, 9.5% being the average increase/planned increase.
Staff resources and cost issues
Although skills as a specific issue was not highlighted in this TNI report, it did state that TNI’s findings align with recent NITA research indicating that around one third of tourism businesses were operating below the required staffing levels.
- 33% of businesses highlighted that they were having difficulties recruiting the staff that they needed – entry level 62%, mid level 55% and senior level 11%.
- Amongst businesses that employed staff, a quarter cited high staff costs as a cause for concern.
- Although a third of businesses had experienced difficulties with recruitment, only 14% had encountered difficulties in retaining staff.
Electronic Travel Authorisation
The introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisation was a cause of concern to 10% of the 448 businesses surveyed.
Positive outlook for the future:
- About two in five providers expected their overall business volume for Oct-Dec to be higher than for the same period in 2022:
- Close to half of businesses were expecting business turnover for 2024 to be higher than this year,
- Around three-quarters felt confident about running their business profitably for the rest of the year and throughout 2024, whilst a fifth did not feel confident about doing so.
