- The inaugural Shared Island tourism workshop has taken place in Derry on 9 September 2026
- Around 50 overseas tour operators and 110 tourism SMEs have attended
- Over 1,500 commercial meetings have taken place
- The event has formed part of an all-island tourism initiative
- The project has commenced in 2023 with Shared Island Fund funding
Tourism businesses from the Causeway Coastal Route and the northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way have showcased their offerings to overseas travel buyers at the inaugural Shared Island tourism workshop in Derry on 9 September 2026. The event has brought together around 50 overseas tour operators from eight key tourism markets with 110 tourism SMEs from Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and the Causeway Coastal Route from Hazelbank Park to Derry. The workshop has been the first initiative of its kind under the Shared Island framework.
Over 1,500 commercial meetings have taken place with local tourism businesses from premium hotels, food experiences and whiskey distilleries to activity providers and heritage sites connecting with overseas tour operators to negotiate and exchange contracts for 2027 and beyond. The overseas buyers have participated in networking sessions and familiarisation trips along the northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.
The Shared Island Tourism workshop has formed part of an all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative developed by Fáilte Ireland, TourismNI and Tourism Ireland. The project commenced in 2023 with funding provided through the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund. The project has worked to enhance the visitor’s journey by bringing together the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route in the North West and North coast regions to develop international tourism products and visitor experiences along the routes.
Alice Mansergh shared “We are delighted to welcome our overseas travel trade partners and local tourism SMEs to our inaugural Shared Island workshop.”
Caroline Bocquel shared “Encouraging visitors to travel beyond traditional tourism hotspots and explore more of our regional destinations is key to growing tourism sustainably and delivering greater economic benefits for local communities across the region.”
Laura McCorry shared “Tourism NI is proud to support this inaugural Shared Island initiative, which highlights the shared strengths of the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way.”
