To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the projected costs that the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme will have on the tourism sector over the next five years.

The full impact of the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme will not be known for some time.

Tourism has grown substantially in recent years and there is considerable potential for further growth. The introduction of the ETA Scheme, however, threatens that progress. That is why, on behalf of the industry, I continue to lobby the British Government for a solution.

With 67% of our overseas holiday makers arriving via the South, seamless all-island travel is key to the success of our tourism sector. The ETA introduces a financial and bureaucratic barrier for tourists to travel into the north. This will undoubtedly put off some people from visiting here, which will in turn impact on expenditure by international visitors in the local economy.

I was disappointed at the Home Office decision earlier this month to increase the cost of the ETA from £10 to £16. This significant 60% price increase will only serve to heighten the financial barrier for tourists wanting to visit the north of Ireland and makes it even more important that a pragmatic solution must be found to protect out tourism sector.

I am advised that the introduction of the ETA will result in the North of Ireland being excluded from the itinerary of many all-island tour operators. £210m was contributed to the local economy by international visitors (who will now require an ETA) in 2023. It is this expenditure that could be impacted. Additionally, £7.5m of associated expenditure from international visitors (on day trips from the South) may also be threatened.

A recent Sentiment Tracker Survey undertaken by Tourism Ireland indicated that 1 in 5 people (coming from North America) and 1 in 4 (coming from Europe) are likely not to travel due to an ETA.