Northern Ireland Tourist Board - Review of the Signature Projects

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) produced a Strategic Framework for Action (2004-2007)1, designed to deliver targets for tourism growth set out in the Corporate Plans of both NITB and Tourism Ireland.

The projects to be developed by the framework included: Titanic (Maritime) Belfast; Giant's Causeway/Antrim and Causeway Coast area; the Walled City of Derry; Christian Heritage/Saint Patrick and the Mournes National Park area.

Each Signature Project involves the development of a number of tourist attractions jointly funded by the private and public sectors and were planned for delivery in the short to medium term.

The Signature Projects represent the best way forward for tourism development in Northern Ireland.

They have the potential to achieve 'international standout' for Northern Ireland and to increase the number of tourists.

However there have been delays and shortfall in delivery which are the result of deficiencies in overall project planning, management and governance arrangements and funding issues.

As the review was carried out at a time when the Projects are not fully implemented, conclusions as to achievement of value for money couldn't be made. However, there are concerns that the impact of the Signature Projects, which are being implemented in challenging economic times, may fall short of the anticipated 'step change' in the performance of the tourism sector in Northern Ireland.

In particular, the value for money achievable by the Titanic Signature Building and the sustainability of the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre are not guaranteed.