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With thousands of pubs across the UK closing or under threat, the Plunkett Foundation’s ‘Policy Call to Action’ demands:

Absolute clarity in all nations for every phase of reopening pubs

• Permit the sale of takeaway alcohol in closed containers until pubs are able to fully reopen
• Extend the business rate relief for hospitality for the whole of 2021/22 financial year, mirroring the support in place in Scotland
• Extend the 5% VAT rate on food and non-alcoholic drinks for the whole of 2021/2022 financial year
• Extend the Job Retention Scheme for a further 6 months, or until such a time that pubs are able to trade without restrictions
• Cut the tax duties paid on beer by 25%

Chris Cowcher, The charity’s head of community business, said: “It is clear that the government must base it action on health data and infection rates and we clearly understand this.

“However, community pubs, often operating with volunteers at the core of their business have invested heavily in ensuring they can create safe and Covid-secure environments.

“They need to be given the confidence that they will continue to be supported throughout this next phase, it must not be the case that reopening open under limited circumstances is seen as the point at which support is simply switched off.

‘Covid-secure greenspace’

“As has been widely reported, with community pubs expected to only be able to open to outdoor customers initially then we’d like to see local authorities and councils working with these local businesses to identify and use Covid-secure greenspace or town space – particularly for those businesses where no beer garden exists at all.

“Whilst we hope the PM’s roadmap will help restore some of the community pub’s past freedoms the Budget will be vital for their long term survival.”

The Plunkett Foundation supports a network of 700 community businesses including 150 community pubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It insists rural hostelries are #MorethanaPub and play a much deeper role than simply providing a service – they can empower communities to address issues such as isolation and wellbeing, as well an engendering a vital community spirit.

The charity also wants the public to play their part by:

• Writing to their MP supporting Plunkett’s ‘Policy Call to Action’ for government action
• Supporting the community pub movement across the UK by becoming a member of the Plunkett Foundation
• Supporting our advisory and training service for pubs by donating to its community pubs campaign

To support Plunkett Foundation’s campaign to save local pubs visit www.plunkett.co.uk

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Speaking ahead of a major tourism summit, and after Boris Johnson spelled out England’s planned route out of lockdown, Janice Gault said: “The Prime Minister’s outline is a positive development.

“The understanding is that the NI Executive will produce a paper next week on the plan for Northern Ireland and we look forward to seeing the details on this.”

“The hotel sector is keen to reopen and sees the unlocking to the tourism economy as an important element of a return to more normal times. For the industry, it is not just a question of reopening, it is ensuring that the framework is viable and the process is sustainable.

‘Pathway to normality’

“Many of the details of unlocking are devolved matters but it is good to see the Prime Minister look at international travel, the return of larger gatherings and key tests which will rely on data and guide us through a pathway back to normality.”

“The current lockdown really needs to be the last one and any mitigations that can be put in place to ensure that we open and remain open are welcomed by the industry.

“Consumer confidence needs to be restored and a strong health message needs to be part of this. Hotels are looking forward to guests checking in and hope that a date and framework can be agreed in the coming weeks.”

With a path out of lockdown now in sight, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation is bringing local tourism providers together for The Tourism Summit – The Road to Recovery on Tuesday March 9.

The Federation’s President Stephen Meldrum, above, explained: “The Tourism Summit – The Road to Recovery is open to all businesses operating within the tourism sector and presents a varied programme which will look at the effects of the pandemic, discuss measures that may be required to support the industry and explore the potential that reopening brings.

“For Northern Ireland there are a number of significant milestones in the coming weeks, including the publication of the NI Executive’s pathway document and the budget. We hope these will be positive for the industry and provide support as it seeks to transition out of lockdown.

‘A global picture’

“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  BBC’s Mark Simpson will chair the event and Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds,  with share her thoughts on reinvigorating the industry.

Other guest speakers include, Gareth Hetherington, Director of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, Neil Aulton, Head of Strategy and Insights at Tourism Ireland, Justin Reid, Director of Destination Marketing at TripAdvisor and leading travel journalist Simon Calder.

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.

This event is open to all businesses. To register for The Tourism Summit – The Road to Recovery event on 9^th March 2021, log on to www.tourismsummit.co.uk.

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After a devastating 2020 – with COVID-19 causing havoc for the travel and tourism industry across the globe – 2021 will see the restart of international travel. Tourism Ireland is actively planning for that restart. The organisation has a three-phase plan to restart, rebuild and ultimately redesign demand. The priority for next year will be to RESTART tourism to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.

Kick start campaign

Right now, Tourism Ireland is planning a significant kick-start campaign, which will be launched when the time is right, possibly around St Patrick’s Day 2021 – to drive bookings and revenue for tourism businesses. It will deliver a very clear ‘book now’ message to create demand for summer holidays here, in order to save businesses and create jobs.

Catastrophic year

Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “This has been a catastrophic year for everyone in our industry, but I do believe that tourism can, and will, recover from this pandemic. Recent news about vaccines is really positive and gives us hope for travel in 2021. In our research, Northern Ireland and Ireland have consistently been among the destinations that holidaymakers say they would be most comfortable visiting, even while social distancing measures are in place. So, while we in Tourism Ireland certainly don’t underestimate the challenges that may lie ahead, we look to 2021 with hope and optimism.

International travel

“As international travel begins to restart next year, it is clear that keeping Northern Ireland front and centre in consumers’ minds will be critical. Every destination across the globe has experienced the impact of COVID and will be seeking their share of the recovery. When the time is right, Tourism Ireland will need to punch through the noise and create an immediate desire to visit. Flexibility, above all, will be absolutely key.”

Tourism Ireland’s end-of-year promotional activity

Christmas is traditionally a key holiday-planning period for the year ahead. Tourism Ireland will roll out a major digital video campaign during this Christmas holiday period, to build anticipation for future trips here. Called ‘Let’s get back to Ireland’, the online film will be promoted on social media in 12 different markets, including GB, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, the Nordic countries and the UAE. View the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df9X64wKSq0&feature=youtu.be

A campaign targeting the Diaspora is under way in GB, the US and Canada. This will run until mid-January in print and digital media, such as IrishCentral.com, Celtic Life International magazine, The Irish Post and The Irish World newspapers, to encourage the Diaspora to travel home, as soon as it is possible to do so.

Tourism Ireland’s global social campaign – #FillYourHeartWithIreland – which has been running since April, will continue into 2021.  To date, the campaign has achieved excellent engagement with fans and followers on social media, delivering 541 million impressions (or opportunities to see) on Facebook channels and 37 million video views. This month, it includes a special #ChristmasInIreland promotion.

Looking to 2021

While remaining very flexible and ready to adapt quickly to changing conditions, Tourism Ireland has developed a clear plan. This will include the launch of a significant new kick-start campaign, as soon as the time is right. While Tourism Ireland will remain active in all markets, closer-to-home markets and North America are likely to provide the greatest opportunities in 2021.

Highlights of activity in the pipeline for 2021 include:

‘The Green Button’ campaign: a major new campaign will be launched, possibly around St Patrick’s Day, with a very clear ‘book now’ message. The campaign – called ‘The Green Button’ – will single-mindedly drive visitor numbers and intention to book a trip to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland in 2021. Filming for the campaign will take place early next year. It will include a focus on outdoor experiences and will feature some of our iconic attractions – including Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway and Trinity College, to name but some. The concept revolves around creating a commitment to travel here by ‘pressing the green button’ – green being the universal colour of ‘go’ and instinctively connected with the island of Ireland and St Patrick’s Day.

Northern Ireland: Embrace a Giant Spirit campaign: Tourism Ireland will roll out a new ‘Northern Ireland: Embrace a Giant Spirit’ campaign in GB, highlighting Northern Ireland as a great choice for a ‘staycation’ to GB travellers.

Redeveloped Ireland.com and enhanced digital marketing capability: digital marketing has been increasingly important for Tourism Ireland in recent years. However, 2021 will see a step-change in its capabilities in this area. A significant redesign of Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, has been under way throughout 2020. The new site is currently going live; in all, there will be 33 market sites, in 30 different countries, in 11 languages. It will be fundamental to Tourism Ireland’s proposed kick-start success in 2021.

Tourism Ireland will also double its email database of consumers around the world; this will ensure a ‘warm audience’, known to be interested in visiting – and ready to be persuaded to visit, when the time is right.

Screen tourism: Tourism Ireland will continue to highlight Northern Ireland’s connection with Game of Thrones and, in particular, will harness the opportunities presented by the new Game of Thrones studio tour at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, which is due to open in the summer.

Major broadcasts in 2021: as international travel begins to restart next year, it will be more important than ever before to keep Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland ‘top of mind’ with potential visitors. Major broadcasts in the pipeline for next year include Adrian Dunbar’s Scenic Ireland on Channel 5; Hidden Ireland, hosted by respected American travel journalist Peter Greenberg, also on PBS; and Golf’s Greatest Holes on Sky Sports.

Virtual trade promotions: Tourism Ireland, together with 320 tourism industry partners, will participate in around 25 virtual trade promotions in Q1 2021 – meeting, and doing business with, important travel trade contacts in 10 different markets. These will include ITB Berlin NOW, the PGA Merchandise Show, the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, as well as virtual sales missions to the GCC, Austria and Switzerland.

Global Greening 2021: hundreds of iconic landmarks and buildings around the world will take part in Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening 2021 initiative around St Patrick’s Day. From Brussels to Buenos Aires and from Sydney to San Francisco, a host of buildings and sites around the world will light up in green. This will be the 12^th year of Global Greening.

Flexibility and agility will be key elements of Tourism Ireland’s work in 2021.

Niall Gibbons said: “Once this crisis is past and the island of Ireland is open again to overseas visitors, we in Tourism Ireland will be ready to play our part in delivering a sustainable recovery, for the long-term future of our industry. We know that, while unquestionably the short-term priority for our industry is to restore economic sustainability, our success in attracting future overseas visitors will be increasingly dependent on the demonstration of environmental and community sustainability as well. We will be doing everything that we can to recover as much business as possible and to return our great industry to growth.”

Tourism Ireland’s success in supporting the restart of overseas tourism and driving business development is dependent on many factors. However, there are three key pillars of action:

19. Consumer motivation: Tourism Ireland will continue to monitor the global impact of COVID-19. Its extensive programme of COVID research will continue in 2021, with findings informing its promotional activity and plans. Other research projects will look at the potential of luxury travel and ‘ultra high net worth’ travellers, as well as the potential of the golf and outdoor activities market.
20. Air and sea access: as an island destination, connectivity is critical. Working with air and sea carriers, Tourism Ireland will work to secure the return of vital routes in 2021 and beyond.

• Industry and travel trade: Tourism Ireland will continue to support its tourism industry partners across the island of Ireland, as well as the travel trade overseas, to ensure maximum sales opportunities are achieved.

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“Pubs and breweries who have already been decimated by months of restrictions and closures were looking for some light at the end of the tunnel have only been met with more devastating news about the new year.

“The Executive must urgently increase its financial support packages to make sure that pubs can survive this new year lockdown without risking scores of businesses going bust. Our local breweries and cider producers who can’t get their products into pubs and restaurants will also need financial compensation and support too.

“When planning for the next steps after the lockdown, ministers must recognise that local pubs are a force for good, bringing communities together and playing a key role in tackling loneliness and social isolation – as well as for jobs and the economy. Allowing a limited number of people to socialise safely in COVID-secure pubs is vital not just for businesses – but also for our communities and to people’s mental wellbeing.”

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