Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s largest annual festival of Irish music, song, dance and competitions, between August 2 and 9, 2026.

Around 700,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, which will include a fringe programme in regional areas.

In preparation, Tourism NI has launched a new accommodation certification campaign to ensure providers are ready for the event.

It is a legal requirement that all visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland is certified by Tourism NI, even if they are let on an ad-hoc basis.

Such legislation ensures that all providers comply with relevant regulations, operate on a level playing field, maintain quality standards, and instil consumer confidence in our tourism offerings.

More importantly, operating without certification could result in legal action against the operator and reputational damage to the wider industry.

The certification process includes a physical inspection of the property and its facilities by a member of the Tourism NI team. Proprietors can also receive operational and marketing advice during the certification process.

The new industry-wide campaign, which is being supported by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), emphasises the importance of legal operation and the simplicity of the certification process.

The campaign is being launched just weeks before Tourism NI hosts a Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann accommodation information webinar on February 18.

This session will offer accommodation providers planning to promote properties during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann practical information and highlight the importance of responsible and fair pricing, which will help ensure the event remains accessible for visitors, delivers lasting economic benefits for accommodation providers, and preserves the inclusive spirit that defines the event.

Further details about the webinar and how to register is available at Getting Fleadh Ready: Lunch and Learn Webinar A Guide for Accommodation Providers

Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI, said: “The process of applying for certification is very simple and can be completed online. Once certified, we will conduct one statutory inspection of the property over a four-year period.

“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is sure to draw performers and visitors from around the world who will be in need of accommodation across the region. We want to ensure they receive the best experience possible.

“Therefore, it is really important that anyone providing visitor accommodation is certified in good time ahead of the event in August. We don’t want anyone looking to offer visitor accommodation to miss out by not being certified.”

Peter Cassidy, Station Commander with the NIFRS, said: “We’re proud to partner with Tourism NI to highlight the importance of fire safety in tourist accommodations ahead of this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

“Before renting out your property as a holiday let, ensure it meets the required fire safety standards by conducting a fire risk assessment, confirming the appropriate smoke alarms are installed and working, and providing clear escape instructions for occupants in case of fire.

“Together, we can help make this a safe and memorable summer, for all the right reasons.”

Further information about certification is available from Tourism NI by emailing qa@tourismni.com or by calling 028 90 441545.

(L-R) Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI, Gareth Bennett and Priscilla McLoughlin, owners of The Little Birdhouse in Greyabbey – which has been certified by Tourism NI – and Peter Cassidy, Station Commander with the NIFRS

Benefits of Tourism NI Certification

• While certification is mandatory, it is ultimately a positive experience
• Tourism NI Certification officers work with tourist accommodation providers to make sure that their accommodation is safe, clean, legal and fully equipped for guests
• They will share important advice, such as the need for Fire Risk Assessments and Public Liability Insurance, promoting your property and free resources you can avail of
• Properties are inspected every four years and costs are as low as £40 for a self-catering property
• Certification drives standards and helps to improve the region’s reputation as a destination
• Certification ensures businesses are fully prepared to provide a warm welcome to guests and offers clear guidance on creating a consistently positive guest experience.
• Certified accommodation can avail of a free listing on Tourism NI’s consumer website Discover Northern Ireland, which receives over two million visitors each year
• Certification protects accommodation providers, their properties and their guests

Photo captions: (L-R) Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI, Gareth Bennett and Priscilla McLoughlin, owners of The Little Birdhouse in Greyabbey – which has been certified by Tourism NI – and Peter Cassidy, Station Commander with the NIFRS, help launch Tourism NI’s accommodation certification campaign ahead

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Following a year like no other in the industry the theme is Survive, Revive, Thrive.

The event, which will be broadcast from the ICC Belfast on 14th June, 10am – 12 noon.

Over the course of two hours the conference will reflect on the past year and discuss opportunities ahead as journey to recovery begins.

The Tourism NI team will provide updates on the following areas:

• Tourism Recovery Action Plan
• Market opportunities
• What Tourism NI is doing to support you
• How you can get involved and play your part

There will also be an industry panel discussion and an opportunity for those tuning in to submit questions throughout the session.

This virtual event is free to attend and open to all in the NI Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

To register simply visit https://eventfulbelfast.eventsair.com/ni-tourism-conference-2021/register/Site/Register

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Northern Ireland’s hotel industry is “keen to keen to play a positive role in the restoration of the local economy” but needs support and fewer restrictions going forward.

Speaking ahead of The Tourism Summit, the Road to Recovery, Janice Gault, the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: “Our members are keen to open. However, after three lockdowns they are hesitant to do so while the threat of a further lockdown hangs over them.

“Reopening must occur in a sustainable manner and within a viable framework.

“Dealing with the health crisis has been the number one priority and the roll out of the vaccine, along with a fall in the R number, is welcome news. There is a recognition that we are not out of the woods yet and that reopening will be a gradual process.

‘Viable framework’

“The need for a viable framework within which the industry can trade is an essential element of reopening. As a well-regulated sector which has shown the ability to operate safely, the Federation will be calling on the Executive to remove the curfew.  This is a restriction that has little effect on the spread of the virus but has significant impact on the viability of trading.”

Janice, above, added: “Other asks will include promotional activity to restore confidence and stimulate trade, a planned review of regulation and exploring mitigations to prevent further lockdowns.

“At this juncture, the light at the end of the tunnel may only be flickering. In the coming weeks, we hope it will start to guide us towards reopening and better times. Hotels will await further news on the pathway to recovery and are keen to play a positive role in the restoration of the local economy”.

Despite the Northern Ireland Executive not setting any indicative dates for the reopening of the hospitality industry here, The Tourism Summit will focus on how it hopes to do so, the impact of the pandemic and measures required to keep tourism infrastructure intact.

Stephen Meldrum, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: “During the event, there will be political and economic insight from experts and updates from the tourism agencies.  The varied panel of speakers will also provide an overview of the global picture, consider factors that are likely to influence consumer psyche, and examine how businesses are tailoring their brand offering.”

The summit will be hosted by the BBC’s Mark Simpson and after a welcome address by Economy Minister Diane Dodds, other speakers include travel journalist Simon Calder, above, Prof Rob Kwortnik from Cornell University and TripAdvisor’s Justin Reid.

There is economic commentary from Gareth Hetherington, forecasting by Sarah Duignan and insights from hotelier Frankie Whelehan. The full line-up is:

• 9.30  Welcome by BBC’s Mark Simpson
• 9.35  Opening address by Economy Minister Diane Dodds
• 9.40  Gareth Hetherington of Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre on the financial picture
• 10.00  Neil Aulton, Head of Strategy and Insights at Tourism Ireland, on the consumer psyche
• 10.20 Naomi Waite Tourism Northern Ireland – Embracing out giant spirit
• 10.40 Hotel Insights from Sarah Duignan of STR
• 11.30 Destination Marketing’s Justin Reid

• 11.50  Success and Survival – Cork hotelier Frankie Whelehan
• 12.10  Reawakening Business – Prof Robert Kwortnik  
• 12.40  Globetrotting – Travel journalist Simon Calder

Both tourist boards will also be on hand to look at rebuilding the market and the panel features hotelier Richard Collins from Marriott AbuDhabi and Brenda Morgan from NITA.

The Tourism Summit comes hot on the heels of the  Northern Ireland Hotels Federation launching its own Return To Trading plan, which spelled out key initiatives for tourism, including stimulation of the home markets.

Janice Gault said: “The plan outlines a number of key initiatives for tourism including stimulation of the home markets, the holiday at home voucher, as well as supporting the product and experience development.

“One of the key plans is the creation of a sustainable and Regenerative Tourism Strategy which will help the industry return to trading and assist with business restoration. The Federation looks forward to seeing the realisation of plans and working with other key stakeholders to create a better climate for tourism businesses.

‘Consumer confidence’

“Having reached a £1bn spend in 2019, the industry is keen to return to trading and is keen to contribute in a positive manner in the coming year.”

On the Tourism Summit itself, NIHF President Stephen Meldrum added: “We’ve had a number of milestones in the last few weeks, including the publication the NI Executive’s pathway document and the budget.

“The Federation has staged this event to put a spotlight on the future, give some insights into how we can unlock successfully and what support the sector will require. Hotels are at the centre of the tourism economy but require the wider economy to unlock as well and for consumer confidence to be restored.

“We hope that the Summit’s programme has a wide appeal, the event will cover a range of matters which underpin the hospitality and tourism sectors. There are a number of international speakers and it will be good to hear about destinations that are on a different trajectory from Northern Ireland.

“The current lockdown has been very challenging, but the stoic nature of the industry has come to the fore. It is important that we highlight the opportunity and potential of the industry once easement becomes a reality.”

The Tourism Summit is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, Coca-Cola, Calor, Henderson Foodservice, Ards & North Down Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Mid Ulster District Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Local trade publications, Hospitality Review and Licensed Catering News, have also lent their support.

The Tourism Summit, The Road to Recovery takes place on 9 March 2021 with full details available at https://tourismsummit.co.uk

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