Introduction
As the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system launches, Northern Ireland’s tourism sector faces a new challenge. In particular, operators experience tour cancellations as international visitors now need additional paperwork to visit Northern Ireland. Consequently, Belfast has experienced a blow, especially as it thrives on global tourism.
What is the ETA Scheme?
The UK government’s ETA system currently requires non-visa travelers to apply for electronic permission before arrival. Earlier, in January 2025, it initially launched for non-European travelers. Later on, the scheme extended to European visitors (excluding Irish citizens) in April.
Moreover, the government fee when applying for an ETA jumped from £10 to £16 within a single week of launch. Although its initial intention is to boost border security and modernize travel processing, the ETA has also impacted Belfast.
Titanic Belfast Impact
One of Belfast’s most iconic attractions, Titanic Belfast, has already lost almost 2,000 bookings because of the new rules. Importantly, Titanic Belfast is magnet for tourists worldwide, often among Ireland’s most visited destinations.
However, now, group tours and individual travelers are cancelling trips rather than navigating additional paperwork requirements. Consequently, many operators report seeing cross-border itineraries originating in the Republic of Ireland dropping Northern Ireland completely.
Cross-Border Tourism Challenges
Traditionally, about 70 percent of overseas tourists visiting Northern Ireland arrive first through airports in the Republic of Ireland.
Before 2025, tourists could move easily across the open border without needing additional visas or travel documentation. However, with the ETA now mandatory, a simple day trip to Belfast has become a bureaucratic challenge for many visitors.
Additionally, many European travelers relying on national ID cards now find themselves needing a passport to apply for an ETA. As a result, tour companies are adjusting routes to avoid Northern Ireland altogether, hurting local businesses reliant on tourism.
Official and Industry Responses
In response, Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald voiced her alarm at tourism’s rapid downturn.
Following meetings in Berlin and the United States, she warned the Home Office that the new rules risk severe economic damage. Specifically, she called for exemptions for cross-border travelers who enter Northern Ireland from the Republic for tourism purposes.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance CEO Dr. Joanne Stuart echoed those concerns during recent industry talks. She emphasized that the ETA is now a major barrier for tourists, especially those without easy access to passports.
Thus, she urged the UK Home Office to reconsider policies that could unintentionally isolate Northern Ireland from tourism markets
What’s Ahead for Belfast
While the UK’s new ETA scheme aims to improve security, it is undeniably reshaping travel patterns across the island of Ireland. In particular, tourism-dependent Belfast now faces a sharp downturn, as more travelers avoid Northern Ireland to skip complicated paperwork.
If authorities do not swiftly introduce exemptions, then Belfast’s world-class attractions like Titanic Belfast could see even steeper declines in visitors. Clearly, local leaders must act quickly to safeguard Northern Ireland’s tourism economy from long-term damage.
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
