Top international tour operators take in Co Derry sites during fact-finding trip

Top international tour operators have been immersing themselves in local landscapes and culture, as part of a fact-finding trip to Northern Ireland.

The tour operators were invited here by Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism NI, to participate in the annual ‘Meet the Buyer’ workshop in the ICC Belfast.

The tour operators’ ‘Embrace the Stories of Northern Ireland’ themed tour – which took place after the workshop – included a visit to The Courthouse in Bushmills where local heritage and creative enterprise is celebrated and supported, followed by a chocolate making experience at The Chocolate Manor in Castlerock.

Glenshane Country Farm, GORTA - Swatragh’s Famine Story, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, a music tour with Creative Tours Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol and McConnell’s Distillery also featured on the group’s itinerary.

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to bring 145 top international tourism buyers from 15 markets to Northern Ireland for Meet the Buyer 2026 – including 21 buyers attending for the first time. This is a key event in the industry calendar and a fantastic opportunity for local tourism SMEs to connect with our international tour operator partners, who bring valuable tourists to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.

“This year, Tourism Ireland is undertaking an extensive and targeted programme of promotional activity across key overseas markets. Annual visitors from the US to Northern Ireland have grown 35% since 2023, while GB, as our largest source market for visitors, also continues to increase. In addition to promotional activity driving momentum in these markets, we are rolling out a new strategy to win more visitors from Mainland Europe, investing in growth markets like Canada and setting up impactful partnerships for the long term in nascent markets like China. Tourism Ireland is proud to champion Northern Ireland’s iconic landscapes, culture and history, from festivals and events to culinary tourism, using advertising, publicity, digital, social, AI and partnerships to win visitors and support businesses and communities.”