Northern Ireland consistently ranks among the top travel destinations, celebrated for its warm hospitality, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture, not least the ‘craic’.
Tourism is a major economic driver for Northern Ireland, generating over £633 million (approximately USD $845 million or CAD $1.09 billion) annually from overseas visitors. In 2024, over 2 million international trips were made to the region, with travelers staying 8.9 million nights.
Visitors from the U.S. and Canada accounted for 12% of trips and contributed 14% of total tourism revenue, amounting to around £88 million (approximately USD $117 million). They stayed over 1 million nights, drawn by breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage, and iconic world-class attractions like the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, and the Causeway Coastal Route. The region also continues to captivate North American visitors with its pop culture appeal, drawing fans of hit shows like Game of Thrones and Derry Girls to filming locations across the region.
Northern Ireland’s global profile as a tourism destination was further elevated by hosting The Open at Royal Portrush, which welcomed 278,000 fans in 2025 and was broadcast to over 100 million viewers worldwide. The event not only showcased the region’s world-class golf offering but also sparked a surge in North American golf tourism, with demand for tee times, especially from American visitors, doubling at top courses.
Cruise tourism has also become a vital part of Northern Ireland’s visitor economy. In 2024, 145 cruise ships from 35 different lines docked in Belfast Harbour, bringing 260,000 passengers and crew to the region. Among them were several inaugural visits, including Cunard’s Queen Anne, and full cruise turnarounds for international passengers, many of whom were American tourists flying into Belfast to begin voyages around the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The sector continues to grow, with Belfast expected to welcome its 1,500th cruise call in 2025
How We Can Help
To support tourism growth, the Northern Ireland Bureau works with Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) and Tourism Ireland (TI) to promote the region across North America. We’re always keen to highlight the very best of what Northern Ireland has to offer. For further recommendations or potential opportunities to collaborate, we’d encourage you to connect with Tourism Northern Ireland or Tourism Ireland.